The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Captain Clarence Harold Peterson, United States Coast Guard, for conspicuous gallantry in action as Commander of a Task Unit of Landing Ships Tanks during action against enemy Japanese forces at Cape Gloucester, New Britain, on 26 December 1943 and at Saidor, New Guinea, on 2 January 1944. Subjected to a withering hostile air attack during departure from the beach at Cape Gloucester, Captain Peterson fought his command aggressively and inflicted severe losses upon the enemy with a minimum of damage to his own units. A cool and proficient leader despite extremely difficult conditions he skillfully organized and guided succeeding echelons throughout the vital re-supply of these two important strongholds.