The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Technical Sergeant Mack D. Lucas (ASN: 34613611), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company F, 314th Infantry Regiment, 79th Infantry Division, in action against the enemy on 28 March 1945 in Germany. When friendly troops drew abreast of a friendly tank which was burning and abandoned except for the tank platoon sergeant, a heavy enemy mortar barrage fell over the area, and several enemy troops were observed seeking cover behind a nearby house. His entire company pinned down, Sergeant Lucas called to the tank battalion platoon sergeant and found that there was some ammunition still in the burning tank. Despite heavy enemy fire Sergeant Lucas mounted the tank and remained on the exposed turret of the tank, firing its fifty caliber machine gun with deadly accuracy against the enemy. As a result of this fire the enemy fire ceased and eight of the enemy troops moved out from behind the building. Sergeant Lucas quickly delivered fire on them, and caused them to surrender. The courage and deft leadership displayed by Sergeant Lucas reflect high credit on himself and the armed forces of the United States.