Stephen C. Markoe

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Stephen C. Markoe, Second Lieutenant, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in action near Seicheprey, France, March 1, 1918. While occupying a combat position in the Bois Carre with his platoon of Company I, 18th Infantry, the position was smothered under an intense bombardment of enemy artillery and machine-gun fire. Following a rolling barrage, Lieutenant Markoe was attacked by a vastly superior force of enemy storm troops. The company commander having been killed, Lieutenant Markoe led the counterattack against the raiding forces and killed in close combat the leader of the raiding party. The action of Lieutenant Markoe stopped the enemy in this part of the sector and was the principal factor which led to the repulse of the enemy raid. Despite the fact that he had been severely wounded early in the action, he refused to relinquish command until the enemy was decisively ejected with great loss from the position. Lieutenant Markoe displayed exceptional leadership and extraordinary heroism in this action.