The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Private First Class Clarence I. DeRee (MCSN: 939809), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving with Company C, Fifth Pioneer Battalion, FIFTH Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands, 18 March 1945. Operating a .50 caliber machine gun in support of an advance by his company, Private First Class DeRee observed that heavy hostile automatic fire had suddenly opened up on the company from a position out of range of his weapon. Promptly stripping the weapon from its mount and placing it on a fire-swept rocky ledge from which the enemy position could be fired on, he secured a gunner to squad behind the ledge and operate the weapon while personally lying on top of the weapon in order to hold it down and steady it. By his resolute courage in exposing himself to hostile fire, Private First Class DeRee contributed materially to neutralizing the automatic fire and removing heavy enemy pressure from the company. His devotion to duty was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.