Clarence Lackner

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Clarence Lackner (37294956), Technical Sergeant, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with an Infantry Company of the 18th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division, in action against enemy forces on 26 November 1944, in Germany. When his company was halted by superior enemy fire, Technical Sergeant Lackner moved through intense hostile fire and located two friendly tanks. From an exposed position atop one of the tanks, he guided them toward the hostile positions and directed devastating fire upon the emplacement. As the tanks moved forward, Technical Sergeant Lackner, armed with a submachine gun, personally killed nine Germans attempting a bold maneuver. Observing a wounded soldier in direct line of hostile automatic rifle fire, Technical Sergeant Lackner dismounted from the tank, moved through the withering fire and evacuated the wounded man to safety. Technical Sergeant Lackner’s intrepid actions, personal bravery and zealous devotion to duty exemplify the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States and reflect great credit upon himself, the 1st Infantry Division, and the United States Army.