Howard R. Suplee

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Howard R. Suplee, Private, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in action north of Verdun, France, at Hill 378, Grande Montagne sector, November 6, 1918. The 316th Infantry, depleted in strength and numbers, attacked from the crest of Hill 378, advancing over the exposed northern slope in the face of terrific machine-gun and artillery fire. Halfway down the slope the thin line was held up by a rain of machine-gun fire from the road leading eastwardly through the Bois-de-la-Grande Montagne to Reville. Private Suplee offered to subdue the fire, and while advancing single handed to the accomplishment of his mission received a wound from which he died a short while later.