Navy Federal Credit Union

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Bronze Star Medal to Captain (Armor) Clarence Ernie Prenevost (ASN: 0-1011637), United States Army, for meritorious service in connection with military operations against an enemy of the United States in the vicinity of ****, during the period 8 October 1944 to 9 October 1944. After effecting the crossing of a stream that was in the path of his tanks and under machine gun and artillery fire, he overran a section of enemy 88-mm. guns set to fire along a bottle neck though which his unit had to pass. By wiping out the crews he eliminated a threat to his company and successfully reached his objective.

Awards Received

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Captain (Armor)

    Batallion:

    15th Tank Battalion

    Division:

    6th Armored Division

    Action Date:

    August 1, 1944

    Headquarters, 6th Armored Division, General Orders No. 18 (August 15, 1944)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Captain (Armor) Clarence Ernie Prenevost (ASN: 0-1011637), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company B, 15th Tank Battalion, 6th Armored Division, in the vicinity of ***, *** on 1 August 1944. While commanding his company of medium tanks, Captain Prenevost, displaying courage and disregard for his own safety, effected reconnaissance of the enemy and reorganized our infantry. By immediate decision made with fine leadership, he successfully eliminated an enemy position which had been causing losses to our forces.

  • Distinguished Service Cross

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Captain (Armor)

    Batallion:

    15th Tank Battalion

    Division:

    6th Armored Division

    Action Date:

    November 11, 1944

    Headquarters, THIRD U.S. Army, General Orders No. 118 (December 28, 1944)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Captain (Armor) Clarence Ernie Prenevost (ASN: 0-1011637), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with Company B, 15th Tank Battalion, 6th Armored Division. On 11 November 1944, Captain Prenevost commanded leading elements of the 15th Tank Battalion as part of a task force which had secured a bridgehead near Sanry-sur-Nied, France, and was attacking to the east to seize the towns of **** and ****. When leading tanks of Captain Prenevost’s command were forced by direct enemy anti-tank fire to take positions in fields to cover the advance of a supporting armored infantry platoon, he personally accompanied the infantry on foot in order to reconnoiter more suitable tank positions. On reaching a place between two woods where the road crossed an open space of several hundred yards an extensive enemy mine field was discovered which blocked any further advance of the tanks. Captain Prenevost ordered the infantry to a position near the road and then with the aid of several of his men began removing mines. While so engaged he was shot through the chest and knocked to the ground. Despite his wound he arose and continued to remove and direct the removal of the enemy mines until a lane had been cleared through the field for his tanks. As he emerged from the far side of the mine field he noticed that the infantry was pinned down by intense enemy fire and that a number of them were wounded. Despite his own injury, he assisted in the removal of the wounded and directed the withdrawal of the infantry. Even then Captain Prenevost did not permit himself to be evacuated until he had completely described the situation to his platoon leaders and turned his command over to his executive officer. His personal bravery, heroic determination and unswerving devotion to duty exemplify the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States.

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Captain (Armor)

    Batallion:

    15th Tank Battalion

    Division:

    6th Armored Division

    Action Date:

    March 19 – April 16, 1945

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star to Captain (Armor) Clarence Ernie Prenevost (ASN: 0-1011637), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company B, 15th Tank Battalion, 6th Armored Division in Germany during the period 19 March 1945 to 16 April 1945. Serving as the chief subordinate task force commander, he displayed much vigorous determination to destroy the enemy, and such utter disregard for his own safety, that his leadership was reflected throughout the column in a will to surge forward. On one occasion, before making the final assault on an emplacement of thirty-five enemy 88-mm. guns at Guessnitz, Germany, Captain Prenevost, on foot, rooted out enemy bazooka teams which blocked the tank advance, and thus made possible the ultimate destruction of the strong enemy force.