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Navy Federal Credit Union

By direction of the President, under the provisions of the act of Congress approved July 9, 1918 (Bul. No. 43, W.D., 1918), Private Clarence E. Keske (ASN: 275379), United States Army, is cited (Posthumously) by the Commanding General, American Expeditionary Forces, for gallantry in action and a silver star may be placed upon the ribbon of the Victory Medals awarded him. Private Keske distinguished himself by gallantry in action while serving with Company M, 127th Infantry Regiment, 32d Division, American Expeditionary Forces, in action near Gesnes, France, 14 October 1918, in remaining in an advanced position under terrific machine gun and grenade fire.

Awards Received

  • Distinguished Service Cross

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Private

    Regiment:

    127th Infantry Regiment

    Division:

    32d Division, American Expeditionary Forces

    Action Date:

    October 19, 1918
    War Department, General Orders No. 56 (1922)

    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 Private Clarence E. Keske (ASN: 275379), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Company M, 127th Infantry Regiment, 32d Division, American Expeditionary Forces, near Gesnes, France, 19 October 1918. When his battalion was held up and suffering heavy losses from flanking fire of four enemy machine-gun nests, Private Keske volunteered and advanced to a position 250 yards ahead of the line and helped to establish a position neutralizing the enemy fire, which enabled the battalion to re-form. He remained in this advanced position, inspiring by his courageous example his comrades to maintain the position, although under terrific machine-gun fire from three sides and hand grenades, until he was killed.