The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lance Corporal Clarence R. Carlson (MCSN: 2192592), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving with Company A, Third Reconnaissance Battalion, THIRD Marine Division, in connection with operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On 9 May 1967, Lance Corporal Carlson was the Point Man of a seven-man reconnaissance patrol on a mission deep within enemy controlled territory near Khe Sanh. After discovering numerous enemy bunkers and confiscating an assortment of enemy equipment during the afternoon, the patrol moved to high ground and established a night defensive position. Shortly after midnight, the small patrol came under heavy small arms fire from approximately fifty North Vietnamese Army soldiers. In the initial burst of enemy fire, the Marines suffered two casualties. Unhesitatingly and courageously, Lance Corporal Carlson moved to a position from which he could direct effective fire at the enemy. Vicious enemy fire battered the patrol’s position and within minutes, several more Marines became casualties. With complete disregard for his own safety, Lance Corporal Carlson maneuvered to different positions in order to bring a heavy volume of small arms fire and grenades against the North Vietnamese Army force. As a result of his daring actions, the enemy was prevented from learning the exact number of patrol members who were able to continue fighting. In less than two hours, only Lance Corporal Carlson and one other Marine were able to man their weapons. Throughout the night, the enemy continued to attack the Marines in an attempt to overrun the patrol’s position. On several occasions, North Vietnamese soldiers approached to within fifteen feet of his position, but were driven back by the intense fire delivered by Lance Corporal Carlson and his companion. Although he was subsequently wounded by enemy small arms fire, Lance Corporal Carlson continued to throw hand grenades and bring accurate fire to bear on the enemy. Several attempts to extract the Marines by helicopter were unsuccessful because of the heavy enemy fire. During the early morning hours, Lance Corporal Carlson was wounded a second time but fearlessly continued to man his weapon until his unit was extracted by helicopter. His steadfast determination and indomitable fighting spirit throughout the twelve-hour ordeal were instrumental in inflicting numerous casualties on the enemy and saving the lives of several Marines. By his extraordinary courage, bold initiative and selfless devotion to duty in the face of extreme danger, Lance Corporal Carlson upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.