The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to First Lieutenant Clarence Virgil Slack, Jr. (AFSN: 16946A), United States Air Force, for gallantry in action while serving with the 36th Fighter-Bomber Squadron, 8th Fighter-Bomber Group, FIFTH Air Force, in action on 14 March 1951 while flying a combat mission in support of United Nations forces in Korea. Lieutenant Slack was leading an element of a four ship flight of F-80 type aircraft on an armed reconnaissance of the railroad between Pyongyang and Sinuiju, Korea. His element was flying top cover for the lead element which was reconnoitering the railroad at low altitude. In the vicinity of the Sunan railroad yards, intense anti-aircraft fire was encountered and was concentrated upon the Flight Leader and his wing man. Lieutenant Slack quickly sighted the gun emplacements and with complete disregard for his own safety, began a dueling attack with the enemy gun positions. By drawing the concentrated fire upon himself, he enabled the lead element to evade the devastating ground fire. In the course of his attack, Lieutenant Slack’s aircraft was hit and was seen to crash in the immediate area. Lieutenant Slack’s alertness, heroic action, and determination to destroy the enemy were in keeping with the highest traditions of the service, and reflected great credit upon himself, the FAR EAST Air Forces, and the United States Air Force.