The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star to Second Lieutenant Clyde Lynn Baker (MCSN: 0-96075), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Platoon Leader with Company D, First Battalion, Fourth Marines, THIRD Marine Division in connection with military operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. In the early morning hours of 8 May 1967, Second Lieutenant Baker’s platoon was positioned along the defensive perimeter at Con Thien when the enemy launched an intense mortar attack followed by a well coordinated ground assault. When the numerically superior North Vietnamese force penetrated the perimeter, inflicting numerous casualties on the Marine defenders, he disregarded the heavy volume of hostile fire as he unhesitatingly left the relative safety of his position and moved to the site of the enemy penetrations, skillfully redeploying his forces. While he was informing his company commander by radio of the tactical situation, an enemy hand grenade exploded in his position, seriously wounding him in the head and destroying the radio. Aware that the commanding officer had to be appraised of the deteriorating situation, he maneuvered across the fire-swept terrain to the command post and, discovering that his commander had been wounded, administered medical aid. Although partially deaf and blind in one eye as a result of his injury, Second Lieutenant Baker organized an assault force and courageously led a counterattack on the enemy, successfully recapturing the majority of the perimeter. Aware of the low ammunition supply and realizing that a nearby tank contained the needed supplies, he ran across the fire-swept terrain, removed the ammunition and returned to his unit’s position. At daybreak, as the enemy attempted to withdraw, he directed his unit’s fire on the hostile force until he was again seriously wounded. Refusing medical aid, he organized his men and conducted a search of the area, ensuring that all casualties were accounted for. By his resolute courage, inspiring leadership and selfless devotion to duty in the face of great personal danger, Second Lieutenant Baker was instrumental in his unit accounting for 213 enemy confirmed killed and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Second Lieutenant Clyde Lynn Baker (MCSN: 0-96075), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in connection with military operations insurgent communist (Viet Cong) forces while serving as a Platoon Commander of the Third Platoon, Company D, First Battalion, Fourth Marines, THIRD Marine Division (Rein.), FMF, in Quang Ngai Province, Republic of Vietnam on 25 February 1967. During Operation DECKHOUSE VI, Second Lieutenant Baker’s platoon was the point of a company movement to the battalion perimeter. Late in the afternoon, as the lead elements of his platoon moved across a large, open rice paddy, they came under an intense crossfire from small arms and automatic weapons. Realizing that his platoon was caught in the killing zone of an ambush and that immediate action was required to avoid heavy casualties, he brought the entire platoon on line and then leaped to his feet and in the face of intense enemy fire, led his platoon in an assault against the most threatening positions, securing the high ground to the front and thereby enabling the Company Headquarters group, which had been pinned down in the rice paddy, to regroup and move to cover. As it continued to advance, Lieutenant Baker’s platoon once again came under heavy fire from a village to his front, as well as from snipers to his flanks and rear. With an inspiring display of courage, Second Lieutenant Baker braved heavy enemy fire to lead his men in another assault. In spite of the gathering darkness, he was in complete control of the situation at all times as he skillfully maneuvered his squads to close with the enemy. IN the fierce fighting which, on many occasions, involved hand-to-hand combat, the platoon, under his professional direction, silenced every enemy weapon and succeeded in leading the company to the battalion perimeter. Second Lieutenant Baker’s quick thinking and sound tactical decisions resulted in the successful and expeditious accomplishment of a difficult and dangerous mission, and was responsible for his platoon not sustaining any serious casualties. His calm and courageous leadership was a constant inspiration to his men and to all who observed him. By his heroic actions, daring initiative and exceptional professional skill, Second Lieutenant Baker upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.