Gaetano Cecere

During this period a "tendency to simplify forms for decorative effects was developed.

[3] Cecere served as director of the Department of Sculpture at the Beaux-Arts Institute of Design in New York City.

In 1940, he was selected to redecorate portions of the U.S. Capitol building's House of Representatives Chamber.

Later in his career, Cecere taught art at Mary Washington College, Fredericksburg, Virginia.

[4] Cecere sculpted the plaster model for the first version of the Distinguished Service Cross and later designed the Soldier's Medal.