The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Corporal Clifford E. Nelson (ASN: 36220478), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Battery A, 81st Airborne Anti-Aircraft Battalion, attached to the 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division. On 21 December 1944 in the vicinity of Foy, Belgium, the enemy launched a determined attack on the position of his unit, with infantry supported by tanks. Because of heavy fog, visibility was very poor and limited the field of fire of his anti-tank gun. Under continuous fire from the approaching enemy armor, he directed the movement of his gun from its entrenched position to an exposed location thereby providing a better field of fire. Realizing the danger of remaining in this exposed position, Corporal Nelson ordered his squad to return to their foxholes and proceeded to man the gun himself. Exhibiting outstanding courage and coolness in the face of heavy enemy fire, he fired his gun and destroyed one enemy tank. While preparing to engage other enemy targets, his gun was destroyed by enemy fire and he was seriously wounded. His actions were in accordance with the military traditions of the United States.