Crossword Genius

Gives precious coat to US serviceman left wearing scraps (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

engilds

'gives precious coat' is the definition.
(to engild is to coat in gold)

'us serviceman left wearing scraps' is the wordplay.
'us serviceman' becomes 'GI' (informal term for a US soldier).
'left' becomes 'L' (common abbreviation).
'wearing' indicates putting letters inside.
'scraps' becomes 'ends' ('end' can be a synonym of 'scrap').
'gi'+'l'='gil'
'gil' placed inside 'ends' is 'ENGILDS'.

'to' acts as a link.

I've seen this clue in The Guardian.
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