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 (Chaplain’s Corps) David Clarence Ham, United States Army, for gallantry in action as Chaplain assigned to Headquarters, 1st Battalion, 387th Infantry Regiment, 97th Infantry Division, in connection with military operations against an armed enemy. Near Burscheid, Germany, on 15 April 1945, Chaplain Ham volunteered to serve as a litter bearer to evacuate a casualty from a location under hostile fire. In the process of evacuation the enemy fires increased in intensity and Chaplain Ham, in disregard of his own life, shielded the body of the wounded man with his own until the fires subsided. Chaplain Ham’s gallantry on this occasion was an inspiration and a comfort to all who witnessed it and reflects high credit upon himself and the Armed Forces.