The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Sergeant Alfred J. S. Clark (ASN: 35434640), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with the 318th Infantry Regiment, 80th Infantry Division in connection with military operations against an enemy of the United States on 9 February 1945 in Luxembourg. On that date, near Dillingen, Luxembourg, an infantry battalion was holding a bridgehead across the Sauer River into the Siegfried Line. Sergeant Clark was dispatched to repair a communication line which two wire crews had been unable to repair because of the intense artillery fire along the river. Determined to accomplish his mission, he attached a wire to a rifle grenade and fired it across the river. Crossing in a small boat he was swept fifteen hundred yards downstream and returned through intense fire to repair the wire and restore communications. The courage, initiative, and constant devotion to duty displayed by Sergeant Clark were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army.



