The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Staff Sergeant Clyde A. Pollard, United States Army Air Forces, for gallantry in action while serving as Left Waist Gunner of a B-24 Liberator Bomber of the FIFTEENTH Air Force in the Mediterranean Theater of Action in December 1944. Sergeant Pollard was wounded together with the right waist gunner during a mission when the formation in which they were flying was attacked by enemy planes. In spite of his wounds, he applied first aid and oxygen to his wounded comrade, and, using both gun positions, shot an enemy fighter down in flames. By his outstanding courage and devotion to duty, he was directly responsible for the safety of his aircraft and probably saved the lives of his fellow crew members. By his conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty, together with his high order of courage shown throughout over twenty-one successful combat missions against the enemy, he has reflected great credit upon himself and the armed forces of the United States of America.