He and his observer, Lt. Francis B. Lowry, continued to press on through a heavy anti-aircraft barrage on an important photo-reconnaissance mission. Unfortunately, their aircraft was hit and they were both killed.

His DSC citation:

Awarded posthumously for actions during World War I

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to First Lieutenant (Air Service) Asher E. Kelty, United States Army Air Service, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with 91st Aero Squadron, U.S. Army Air Service, A.E.F., near Crepion, France, 26 September 1928. In the course of a photographic mission, Lieutenant Kelty, with his observer, was obliged to penetrate a heavy enemy anti-aircraft barrage, realizing that obtaining the location of the artillery objectives was of the greatest importance. When a shell struck his machine, his observer was instantly killed and his machine so badly wrecked that it plunged to the earth, thereby causing his death.

General Orders: War Department, General Orders No. 21 (1919)

Action Date: 26-Sep-18

Service: Army Air Service

Rank: First Lieutenant

Company: 91st Aero Squadron

Division: American Expeditionary Forces

Kelty, Asher Esais, 1st Lt