The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Corporal Clyde B. Hottle (MCSN: 437750), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving as Group Leader in a Rifle Squad of Company K, Third Battalion, Twenty-first Marines, THIRD Marine Division in action against enemy Japanese forces at Guam, Mariana Islands on the nights of 26 and 27 July 1944. Staunchly refusing to withdraw when a portion of his sector was seized and occupied by the enemy on 26 July, Corporal Hottle boldly climbed a small tree despite his wounds and, firing into the rear elements of the enemy, killed ten of the Japanese, retaining his position until the company restored the line. When hostile forces attacked and surrounded his sector on 29 July, he carried out his same daring tactics killing several of the enemy before his company counter attacked and regained the lost ground. By his initiative, courage and devotion to duty, Corporal Hottle upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.