Lewis M. Giescke

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Lewis M. Giescke, Private, U.S. Army, for repeated acts of extraordinary heroism in action near Brieulles, France, October 9 – 12, 1918. Private Giescke administered first aid to many comrades under heavy shell fire and assisted them to the aid station. When his company was in need of water he went alone under heavy machine- gun fire, in direct view of the enemy, and procured it. Each night he personally guided the ration detail through heavy bombardment. Toward the end of the engagement, after his platoon sergeant and the other noncommissioned officers had become casualties, Private Giescke took charge of the platoon, displaying unusual leadership.