The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Captain (Armor) Clarence Ernie Prenevost (ASN: 0-1011637), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with Company B, 15th Tank Battalion, 6th Armored Division. On 11 November 1944, Captain Prenevost commanded leading elements of the 15th Tank Battalion as part of a task force which had secured a bridgehead near Sanry-sur-Nied, France, and was attacking to the east to seize the towns of **** and ****. When leading tanks of Captain Prenevost’s command were forced by direct enemy anti-tank fire to take positions in fields to cover the advance of a supporting armored infantry platoon, he personally accompanied the infantry on foot in order to reconnoiter more suitable tank positions. On reaching a place between two woods where the road crossed an open space of several hundred yards an extensive enemy mine field was discovered which blocked any further advance of the tanks. Captain Prenevost ordered the infantry to a position near the road and then with the aid of several of his men began removing mines. While so engaged he was shot through the chest and knocked to the ground. Despite his wound he arose and continued to remove and direct the removal of the enemy mines until a lane had been cleared through the field for his tanks. As he emerged from the far side of the mine field he noticed that the infantry was pinned down by intense enemy fire and that a number of them were wounded. Despite his own injury, he assisted in the removal of the wounded and directed the withdrawal of the infantry. Even then Captain Prenevost did not permit himself to be evacuated until he had completely described the situation to his platoon leaders and turned his command over to his executive officer. His personal bravery, heroic determination and unswerving devotion to duty exemplify the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States.




