The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918 (amended by an act of July 25, 1963), takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Platoon Sergeant George Donald Clayton (ASN: RA-51364653), United States Army, for gallantry in action against a hostile force while serving with Company B, 1st Battalion, 26th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division, in the Republic of Vietnam on 7 November 1967. On this date, during Operation SHENNDOAH II, Sergeant Clayton was serving as Battalion Intelligence Sergeant on a search and destroy mission near Loc Ninh. He was moving with the command group as the patrol was sweeping through a rubber plantation. Suddenly, they were subjected to intensive claymore mine, rocket, small arms, and automatic weapons fire from a numerically superior Viet Cong force. Sergeant Clayton immediately moved to the left flank of the command group to provide security. With complete disregard for his personal safety, he remained in the open and placed devastating fire onto the advancing insurgents. Although wounded, he refused to seek cover and continued to provide suppressive fire as elements of the battalion maneuvered against the Viet Cong. Enemy rocket rounds started falling in the area and several members of the command group were wounded. Sergeant Clayton began moving through a hail of incoming rounds to aid the casualties. Before he could reach the wounded men, he was mortally wounded by Viet Cong fire. His devotion to duty and exemplary courage undoubtedly saved the lives of several fellow soldiers. Platoon Sergeant Clayton’s unquestionable valor in close combat against numerically superior hostile forces is in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, the 1st Infantry Division, and the United States Army.