SILVER STAR

The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the SILVER STAR MEDAL posthumously to

 LANCE CORPORAL CLARENCE L. LOVE

UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS

For service as set forth in the following

CITATION:

          For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Squad Leader with Company L, Third Battalion, Fifth Marines, First Marine Division in connection with operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On 1 December 1968, during Operation Meade River, Company L was maneuvering across an open area when the Marines came under a heavy volume of sniper, mortar, and automatic weapons fire from a numerically superior hostile force occupying well-concealed emplacements. Separated from the main body of the company, Lance Corporal Love and several companions made repeated attempts to rejoin their unit but were halted by intense enemy fire. Realizing the seriousness of the situation, he left the relative safety of his covered position and fearlessly commenced crawling toward the command post. As he passed within a few meters of an enemy emplacement, he was seriously wounded by the detonation of a hand grenade and, ignoring his painful injuries, resolutely continued across the fire-swept terrain toward his objective. Upon reaching his platoon commander, Lance Corporal Love steadfastly refused medical attention and, having informed his commander of the tactical situation, began leading a reaction force through the hazardous area to his original position when he was seriously wounded by the explosion of an enemy rocket. By his exceptional courage, aggressive fighting spirit and unfaltering devotion to duty, Lance Corporal Love inspired all who served with him and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.

FOR THE PRESIDENT,

H. W. BUSE, JR.

LIEUTENANT GENERAL, U. S. MARINE CORPS 

COMMANDING GENERAL, FLEET MARINE FORCE, PACIFIC