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 Clarence Beckner (ASN: 35808492), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of the *** Chemical Battalion (Motorized), XII Corps, in action against an armed enemy on 2 January 1945, in Luxembourg. Corporal Beckner, a member of a 4.2-inch mortar crew, firing on Langaur, Germany, from the west side of the Sauer River, was injured by a barrel burst which mortally wounded Private First Class DeWitt and injured Private First Class Wicklund. The explosion caused the exposed propellant charges to ignite and the flames forced both Corporal Beckner and Private First Class Wicklund out of the gun pit, both suffering burns and shock. Corporal Beckner returned immediately into the gun pit to give aid to the mortally wounded Private First Class DeWitt. Corporal Beckner, in spite of his own injuries, and suffering from the shock of the mortar explosion, on his own volition returned into the flame-filled gun pit to assist a mortally wounded member of his gun crew, he refused aid until there was nothing else he could do, and then left only when ordered to do so by a superior. The courage and utter disregard for personal safety and comfort displayed by Corporal Beckner reflect great credit upon himself and uphold the highest traditions of the Military Service of the United States.