The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Corporal Clifford C. Blakley (MCSN: 381913), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving as a Squad Leader of Company C, First Battalion, Seventh Marines, FIRST Marine Division (Reinforced), in action against enemy aggressor forces in Korea on 8 December 1950. While leading his squad in an assault on a heavily fortified hostile position, Corporal Blakley observed that the entire company was being endangered by intense fire from an enemy machine gun emplacement and, quickly appraising the situation, voluntarily advanced to a point about fifty yards ahead of his unit where he threw hand grenades into the hostile position and succeeded in neutralizing the enemy weapon. His initiative and skill in the face of heavy enemy fire were contributing factors in permitting the company to go forward and continue the attack and in saving the lives of many Marines. By his courage and indomitable fighting spirit, Corporal Blakley upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.