The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Private First Class Sterling L. Clift (ASN: 38557757), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company A, 1st Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82d Airborne Division, in action on 6 April 1945, at ****, Germany. Private First Class Clift, a bazooka man, covering a road block, displayed great courage during an enemy counterattack. When enemy infantry had infiltrated behind his position and an enemy tank and two flak wagons were strafing his area with withering fire, Private First Class Clift volunteered to stay on his post. With his bazooka and Gammon Grenades he killed ten and held off the numerically superior enemy until his position was overrun and he was mortally wounded. The initiative, courage, and devotion to duty of Private First Class Clift were in keeping with the highest traditions of the Airborne Forces.