Clarence Oliver Wade

Sergeant, U. S. Army

Silver Star

Headquarters, 36th Infantry Division, General Orders No. 261 (July 30, 1944)
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 Clarence O. Wade (ASN: 38037082), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company L, 142d Infantry Regiment, 36th Infantry Division, in action against the enemy on 31 May 1944, in Italy. Sergeant Wade, with his squad, was assigned a sector of a hill to defend against the enemy. As a furious counterattack reached its climax, most of the squad members were forced to withdraw under a heavy artillery barrage and intense small arms fire; but he remained dauntlessly in his position and continued to fire his rifle in the face of the attackers. Although he was constantly exposed to continuous, rapid bursts of machine gun fire, he succeeded in reducing the effectiveness of the enemy assault thus enabling the other members of the squad to return to their positions and repel the counterattack. 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.
The War Department made a very brief press release about the awarded Silver Star in SIS press release B-254.