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 Private First Class Claude E. Evans (ASN: 34985205), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company G, 2d Battalion, 318th Infantry Regiment, 80th Infantry Division, in connection with military operations against an enemy of the United States on 10 April 1945 in Germany. On that date, while the squad in which he served as an automatic rifleman was making an encircling movement on well emplaced enemy machine guns near Schmira, Germany, Private First Class Evans, although in an open field exposed to the enemy, engaged the enemy guns in a fire fight. By drawing the fire and attention of the enemy Private First Class Evans made it possible for his squad to reach and destroy its objective. Private First Class Evans was mortally wounded while gallantly performing this act of heroism. His courage and supreme devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army.