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 [then Private First Class] Clarence A. Sample (ASN: 35144002), United States Army, for gallantry in action while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force while serving with Company C, 143d Infantry Regiment, 36th Infantry Division, in action against the enemy on 6 December 1944 in France. After alerting a tank destroyer crew to the imminence of a German counterattack, Private First Class Sample learned that communications with the outpost bearing the main force of the attack had been disrupted, and he unhesitatingly moved forward to contact the outpost. Upon reaching the position he immediately started back to repair the wire line. Suddenly fired on by an enemy soldier manning an automatic rifle, he crawled toward the direction of fire and, although wounded, forced the German to flee by throwing hand grenades at him. With communications restored, he started toward a second outpost position to repair another line which had been broken by shell fragments. Despite heavy enemy rifle and machine gun fire, he succeeded in repairing the line. His gallant actions aided greatly in repelling the enemy attack. His gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.