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Distinguished Service Cross Recipients

About the Distinguished Service Cross

Dubuque County

   
 
      William H. Kofmehl, second lieutenant, Company C, 15th Machine gun Battalion. For extraordinary heroism in action north of Verdun, France, October 21, 1918. After his platoon had suffered heavy casualties in the Bois de Rappes from machine gun fire he located the enemy guns, and, rallying a handful of his men, charged the enemy positions, capturing 37 prisoners. After getting his own machine guns in position Lieut. Kofmehl, seeing that one of his gunners had been wounded, operated the gun himself, setting an example to his men.

Residence at appointment: Farley, Iowa (Dubuque co.)
 

       Mathew Spautz, sergeant, Company A, 168th Infantry. For extraordinary heroism in action near the River Ourcq, northeast of Chateau-Thierry, France. During the advance of July 30, 1918, while in command of his platoon, Sergeant Spautz showed extraordinary heroism, leading his men on in advance, having three times been knocked down by enemy shells. After having been wounded by machine-gun fire, he still continued to advance. He was finally killed while doing his utmost to advance.

Emergency address: Michael Spautz, father, Davis Avenue, Dubuque, Iowa
Residence at enlistment: Dubuque, Iowa (Dubuque co.)
 

   

 

~source: Official Register, State of Iowa 1921-1922, Twenty-Ninth Number, Military Decorations of Iowans in the World War, pg. 360-376

~ Transcribed and contributed by Sharyl Ferrall for Iowa in the Great War Special Project