The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Master Sergeant [then Sergeant First Class] L. C. Clayton (ASN: RA-34028011), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of Company L, 3d Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment, 3d Infantry Division, in action against an armed enemy in Korea. On 23 March 1951, the Second Platoon of Company L, 3d Battalion, moving to assault a strongly defended enemy-held hill near Uijongbu, Korea, was subjected to an extremely heavy hostile artillery and mortar barrage which wounded the assistant platoon sergeant and scattered the troops of the rear units. Sergeant Clayton, fearing that panic would spread among the troops, immediately dropped back, forcefully reorganized the dispersed riflemen and started them forward again. Although himself wounded by shrapnel and severely shaken by concussion, he raced across 200 yards of fire-swept ground to reach the wounded platoon sergeant and carry him to safety. Then re-crossing the impact area, he rejoined his unit, unhesitatingly assuming command when the platoon leader and platoon sergeant were wounded, and repeatedly exposed himself to enemy fire to place his weapons effectively supporting the attack, finally securing the objective. Sergeant Clayton’s gallant leadership and commendable bravery reflect the highest credit upon himself and the military service.