Melvin Richard Clemens
First Lieutenant, U.S. Army

On 29 August 1944, First Lieutenant Melvin Richard Clemens was serving with the 143rd Infantry Regiment, 36th Infantry Division in the European Theater of Operations.

On that day, 1LT Clemens' unit was in action against German forces near La Coucourde, France. In the early morning a strong hostile force supported by tanks penetrated the defensive position of the 143rd Regiment. 1LT Clemens, the reconnaissance officer, volunteered to lead a counterattack. Exposing himself to small-arms, artillery, and tank fire, he went to one of the guns of the cannon company that had been surrounded by the enemy. By radio, he ordered 3 self-propelled guns into position for mutual support and then went from gun to gun personally directing their fire. 1LT Clemens organized the extra men of the gun crews and led them in close fighting against the German infantry. Under his leadership his command destroyed 1 enemy tank, 2 antitank guns, a large number of trucks, and other motor vehicles. That action completely blocked the road and trapped the remaining Germans. The actions of the men under his inspiring leadership prevented a serious break-through in the Regimental defenses. 1LT Clemens' courageous actions and extraordinary heroism that day, at the cost of his life, earned him the U.S. Army's second highest award for valor, the Distinguished Service Cross.

Medals, Awards and Badges

Distinguished Service Cross
Silver Star Medal
Bronze Star Medal (Merit)
Purple Heart with Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster
American Campaign Medal
European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with Arrowhead & 4 Bronze Stars
World War II Victory Medal
Combat Infantryman Badge

Distinguished Service Cross Citation

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to First Lieutenant (Infantry) Melvin Richard Clemens (ASN: 0-1291590), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with the 143d Infantry Regiment, 36th Infantry Division, in action against enemy forces on 29 August 1944, near La Coucourde, France. In the early morning a strong hostile force supported by tanks penetrated the defensive position of his regiment. Lieutenant Clemens, reconnaissance officer, volunteered to lead a counterattack. Fearlessly exposing himself to small-arms, artillery, and tank fire he went to one of the guns of the cannon company which had been surrounded by the enemy. By radio he ordered three self-propelled guns into position for mutual support and going from gun to gun he personally directed their fire. Lieutenant Clemens organized the extra men of the gun crews and courageously led them in close fighting against enemy infantry. Under his heroic leadership his command destroyed one enemy tank, two antitank guns, a large number of trucks, and other motor vehicles completely blocking the road and trapping the remaining Germans. His intrepid actions prevented a serious break-through in the regimental defenses. First Lieutenant Clemens' inspiring leadership, personal bravery and zealous devotion to duty at the cost of his life, exemplify the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States and reflect great credit upon himself, the 36th Infantry Division, and the United States Army.

General Orders: War Department, General Orders No. 17 (March 13, 1945)

Burial

First Lieutenant Melvin Richard Clemens is buried at the Epinal American Cemetery and Memorial in Epinal, Departement des Vosges, Lorraine, France in Plot B, Row 8, Grave 29.

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