Clarence E. Keske

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.

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Clarence E. Keske, Private, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in action near Gesnes, France, October 14, 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.