The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Private First Class Clifford Frederick Bell (MCSN: 333162), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving as a Wireman of Headquarters Company, Second Battalion, Seventh Marines, FIRST Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces at Peleliu, Palau Islands, on the night of 19 September 1944. When hostile forces broke through our lines and inflicted heavy casualties on the command post personnel of a rifle company, forcing its relocation and disrupting communications, Private First Class Bell volunteered to run a line from the Battalion Command Post to the company. Boldly proceeding through unfamiliar territory known to be infested with enemy troops, he made his way over precipitous ravines and up an extremely steep hill tangled with undergrowth and, risking the fire of friendly as well as hostile forces, completed his hazardous mission. By his heroic action, he enabled his command to communicate with a company in a perilous situation during the night, and his daring initiative, courage and determination throughout reflect the highest credit upon Private First Class Bell and the United States Naval Service.