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 James T. Cleary (ASN: 31350422), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with an Airborne Infantry unit on 7 January 1945, in Belgium. Private Cleary, with utter disregard for his own personal safety, dashed forward across open ground in full view of the enemy and fired three rockets into enemy machinegun positions, knocking out two of the guns. Private Cleary, still without attempting to seek cover, was scanning the terrain for further targets when he was hit and fell, mortally wounded. Private Cleary’s actions were in keeping with the finest traditions of the Army of the United States.