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The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star (Navy Award) to Sergeant Clyde L. Bonnelycke (MCSN: 1806071/ASN: 1806021), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Platoon Sergeant with Company C, First Battalion, Third Marines, THIRD Marine Division in connection with operations against insurgent communist (Viet Cong) forces in the Republic of Vietnam. On 19 January 1968, Sergeant Bonnelycke’s platoon was assigned to assist a friendly unit which had become heavily engaged with numerically superior enemy force north of the Cua Viet River in Quang Tri Province. Upon reaching the unit, the Marines became pinned down by a heavy volume of small arms and automatic weapons fire from numerous fortified hostile positions. Realizing the seriousness of the situation, Sergeant Bonnelycke unhesitatingly exposed himself to the intense fire and fearlessly maneuvered across twenty-five meters of fire-swept terrain toward an enemy bunker. Upon reaching the hostile emplacement, he boldly threw a hand grenade into it, silencing the enemy fire and enabling his unit to continue its attack. His heroic actions and determined efforts inspired all who observed him and were instrumental in his unit accounting for twenty-three enemy soldiers confirmed killed. By his courage, aggressive fighting spirit and steadfast devotion to duty in the face of great personal danger, Sergeant Bonnelycke contributed immeasurably to the accomplishment of his unit’s mission and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service.

Awards Received

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Staff Sergeant

    Batallion:

    2d Battalion (Airmobile)

    Regiment:

    8th Cavalry Regiment

    Division:

    1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile)

    Action Date:

    August 12, 1969
    Headquarters, 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile), General Orders No. 5044 (April 4, 1970)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 8, 1918 (amended by act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Silver Star to Staff Sergeant Clyde L. Bonnelycke (MCSN: 1806071/ASN: 1806021), United States Army, for gallantry in action while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam. Staff Sergeant Bonnelycke distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions in 12 August 1969, while serving as a Platoon Sergeant with Company D, 2d Battalion (Airmobile), 8th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile), in Tay Ninh Province, Republic of Vietnam. When the base came under an intense rocket, mortar, and ground attack, Staff Sergeant Bonnelycke left the safety of his bunker and went to a bunker which had suffered a direct hit. Pulling the wounded personnel to safety, he raced to the berm and placed suppressive fire on the enemy with a machine gun. When that ran out of ammunition, he made his way to another gun, where he continued his suppressive fire. Disregarding his wounds, he continually made his way back to the berm placing effective fire on the enemy, and helped carry the wounded personnel to safety. His gallant action is in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflects great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Sergeant

    Batallion:

    2d Battalion (Airmobile)

    Regiment:

    8th Cavalry Regiment

    Division:

    1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile)

    Action Date:

    July 13, 1969
    Headquarters, 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile), General Orders No. 10412 (August 26, 1969)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 8, 1918 (amended by act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star to Sergeant Clyde L. Bonnelycke (MCSN: 1806071/ASN: 1806021), United States Army, for gallantry in action while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam. Sergeant Bonnelycke distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous action on 13 July 1969, while serving as the Platoon Leader of the Second Platoon, Company D, 2d Battalion (Airmobile), 8th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile), during a search and clear mission in Tay Ninh Province, Republic of Vietnam. Moving down a trail the point element was ambushed with mines, machine-guns, and small arms fire. The initial contact inflicted numerous wounds upon the members of Sergeant Bonnelycke’s platoon. Realizing that there was no base of fire from which a counter attack could be launched, he moved to his wounded machinegunner and picked up the weapon. Laying down an effective base of fire, he enabled his platoon to mount their attack. When Sergeant Bonnelycke had expended all his ammunition, he immediately seized several grenades and engaged an enemy bunker, silencing it with accurate throws. His valorous actions allowed five members of the platoon to be evacuated and caused the enemy ambush to be broken. His gallant action is in keeping with the highest traditions of the Military Service, and reflects great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.