COL. Herman W. Steinkraus was decorated with the Distinguished Service Cross for bravery near Bois deBantheville on October 15, 1918. He was a first lieutenant in the 127th Infantry, 32nd Division, commanding Co. K and had been ordered to go to the rear for treatment for an infected leg. Instead he remained in command and skillfully extricated his company with few casualties. The company was exposed to machine gun fire from both flanks. Reinforcing his command with stragglers, he organized a strong right flank guard by utitilizing captured German machine guns and succeeded in maintaining his position.

COL. Steinkraus was a LIFE MEMBER and the Legion of Valor National Commander 1934-1935. He resided in Connecticut.