The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Private First Class Clarence Edward Ables (ASN: 34876743), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with the 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82d Airborne Division, in action on 21 December 1944, at ****, Belgium. Private First Class Ables, a machine gunner, was a member of the squad designated to attack an enemy strongpoint. There was no cover available and Private First Class Ables was forced to set up his gun out in the open under heavy machine gun, mortar, rifle and 20-mm. fire. He was immediately knocked from his gun and seriously wounded, but in spite of this he crawled back to his gun and moved it to a position to where it could be manned by his assistant gunner. When the gun was back in action, Private First Class Ables allowed himself to be evacuated. Private First Class Ables’ fearless and courageous act reflects great credit upon himself and the United States Airborne Forces.