The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to First Lieutenant (Infantry) Samuel E. Clark (ASN: 0887621), 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 2 April 1945 in Germany. During an assault near Kassel, Germany, on 2 April 1945, the anti-tank platoon of which Lieutenant Clark was platoon leader was moving into position when fired on by six enemy tanks. Realizing that the guns were not in position to return fire, Lieutenant Clark and his platoon sergeant manned .50 caliber machine guns to protect the movement to a better position. The effective and accurate fire directed a the enemy tanks by Lieutenant Clark enabled the anti-tank guns to take a firing position from which they routed the enemy. His courage, bravery, and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army.