Philip C. Clark
Home Town: Ohio
Headquarters Company, 2d Battalion, 16th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division, in action against enemy forces on 6 June 1944, in France. Staff Sergeant Clark landed with the Battalion Headquarters but voluntarily joined a rifle company to aid in the assault. Leaving the slight cover of a shale shelf, he crept under heavy enemy machine gun fire to the barbed wire entanglements and forced a breach. He then led his group of men across a minefield to the foot of the heavily defended cliffs. Here, his men were pinned down by the intense machine gun fire. Staff Sergeant Clark then charged the machine gun position killing three of the crew in hand-to-hand combat and taking two prisoners. The personal bravery, skill and disregard for his own safety displayed by Staff Sergeant Clark 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.
Headquarters, First U.S. Army, General Orders No. 31 (July 1, 1944)
The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Philip C. Clark (35011921), Staff Sergeant, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with