The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Corporal Max L. Clark (MCSN: 374868), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving with Company A, First Battalion, Sixth Marines, SECOND Marine Division during action against enemy Japanese forces at Tarawa, Gilbert Islands on 22 November 1943. With his squad viciously counter attacked by a strong hostile force, Corporal Clark voluntarily left his position of comparative safety and pressed forward against the bitter resistance and relentlessly charging the enemy and repelled the bitter onslaught in that sector. By his daring initiative valiant fighting spirit and cool courage in the face of grave danger, Corporal Clark contributed immeasurably to the success of our forces in capturing this vital hostile stronghold and his zealous devotion to duty throughout was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.