Max Achenbach was born on May 29, 1895 in Massachusetts. He served in the U.S. Army during World War I as a Private in Company A, 2nd Machine Gun Battalion, 1st Infantry Division. He died from his wounds received in battle on October 8, 1918 and is now buried in Meuse-Argonne American Cemetery and Memorial, Romagne-sous-Montfaucon, Departement de la Meuse, Lorraine, France. He was Purple Heart and the Distinguished Service Cross for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Company A, 2d Machine-Gun Battalion, 1st Division, A.E.F., near Fleville, France, October 5, 1918. When his gun squad had received orders to withdraw to a better position, because of the intense fire to which they were subjected, the retreat was delayed because the gunner had been wounded. Private Achenbach rushed to the gun and endeavored to remove it, but while thus engaged he received severe wounds in the arms, legs, and stomach which shortly after caused his death. General Orders 64, War Department, 1919.