The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Private First Class Clark B. Allen, Jr. (ASN: 12154905), United States Army, for gallantry in action in Holland on 8 November 1944. On 8 November 1944, Private Allen was a member of a 27-man combat patrol which suffered many casualties after encountering heavy machine gun fire while advancing along a dike leading to a town. With complete disregard for his personal safety, and in the face of intense enemy machine gun and small arms fire, Private Allen worked his way back across 600 yards of open, fire-swept terrain in search of medical aid men, and skillfully led them back over the same route. Constantly exposing himself to heavy fire from a firmly entrenched enemy only 150 yards to his front, Private Allen administered first aid to four of his wounded comrades and directed their evacuation. Still under heavy enemy fire he returned to his company commander with accurate information as to the situation. His personal valor and unflinching devotion to duty was an inspiration to his comrades and reflects the highest credit on Private Allen and the armed forces of the United States.