The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star to First Lieutenant (Infantry) Fred K. Cleary (ASN: 0-1686754), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of Company L, 3d Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment, 3d Infantry Division, in action against an armed enemy in Korea. On 23 March 1951, near Uijongbu, Korea, Company L was assaulting a steep hill which was fiercely defended by the well-entrenched enemy, but due to the intense fire from enemy automatic weapons and mortars, the company’s advance was stalled. Unhesitatingly and with complete disregard for his personal safety, Lieutenant Cleary charged the enemy positions throwing grenades into the midst of the defenders, but was forced to withdraw in the face of the heavy fire. Again returning, he engaged a sniper in hand-to-hand combat and killed the enemy soldier with his bayonet, although he was wounded himself. Lying on the ground in intense pain, he shouted words of encouragement to the men and fired his weapon as they advanced. The devotion to duty, and extreme gallantry displayed by Lieutenant Cleary reflects the highest credit upon himself and the military service.

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to First Lieutenant (Infantry) Fred K. Cleary (ASN: 0-1686754), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of Company L, 3d Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment, 3d Infantry Division, in action against an armed enemy in Korea. On the night of 27 February 1951, Lieutenant Cleary voluntarily led a night patrol into Seoul, Korea, with the mission of reconnoitering the area occupied by the enemy and bringing back a prisoner. He crossed the river and led the patrol through a mine field and barbed wire entanglements, personally locating the trip wires and barbed wire and then cutting them himself. Always leading his patrol, he penetrated deep within the enemy lines, ambushed an enemy patrol of 12 soldiers, killed or wounded six of the enemy and took one prisoner. Lieutenant Cleary then covered the withdrawal of his patrol while guarding his prisoner. Despite heavy fire received from enemy mortars, machine guns, rifles, and hand grenades and illumination by many enemy flares, Lieutenant Cleary successfully returned his patrol without having suffered a single casualty. The skillful leadership, courage, and gallantry displayed by Lieutenant Cleary reflects great credit upon himself and the military service.