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 (Infantry) Clarence G. Bell (ASN: 0-1305372), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving as a Platoon Leader with Company G, 338th Infantry Regiment, 85th Infantry Division, in action against the enemy on or about 12 October 1944 at Mt. Della Formiche, Italy. Lieutenant Bell was assigned the mission to take the church at the peak of Mt. Della Formiche. The terrain that his platoon had to take was almost straight up, which entailed a great deal of physical effort and consistent encouragement to his men to reach the top. Lieutenant Bell personally led his platoon to the top of the mountain. Upon reaching the top first, Lieutenant Bell discovered three enemy soldiers setting up a machine gun that was imperiling the progress of his platoon. Lieutenant Bell, without regard for his own safety, rushed the enemy and captured them intact. After taking the enemy prisoners he noticed another enemy gun position along the crest line of the mountain. He quickly realized that by its fire the remaining members of his platoon coming up the side of the mountain were helplessly and dangerously pinned down against the slopes of the mountain. He quickly subjected himself to enemy small arms fire by forming a base of fire with his Tommy gun while members of his platoon maneuvered around to safety and entered the church, the platoon objective. After successfully getting his men to the church by pinning down the enemy machine gunners, Lieutenant Bell then planned his route to join his men. Before moving out he noticed that one of the members of the enemy that he had been keeping pinned down was an officer. Realizing that taking the officer prisoner would give our forces vital enemy information, he rushed over the crest of Formiche, captured the surprised enemy officer and took along with him to join his platoon at the church. Lieutenant Bell’s exceptional leadership and gallantry in action was an inspiration to the men of his platoon and gained him the respect of officers and enlisted men throughout his company and battalion. His gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.