The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Second Lieutenant (Cavalry) David P. Elles (ASN: 0-527704), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with the 736th Medium Tank Battalion (Special), attached to the 30th Infantry Division, in action against the enemy on 24 March 1945, in Germany. When an infantry and tank force was halted by severe enemy fire and the tanks were unable to move into position, Second Lieutenant Elles received permission from the infantry commander to lay a base of fire on the enemy’s flank to aid the advance. He called for four volunteers to go with hmm and removing machine guns from the tanks, they placed them into positions from which Second Lieutenant Elles directed such accurate fire on the enemy that they were pinned down, enabling the infantry to move forward and drive them from their sanctuary. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by Second Lieutenant Elles, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.