The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Private First Class John Joseph Clampitt (MCSN: 523298), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving as a Member of the Observation Post of the Twenty-second Marines, SIXTH Marine Division, during action against enemy Japanese forces on Okinawa, Ryukyu Islands, 18 June 1945. Returning to the observation post after accomplishing a mission to the rear, Private First Class Clampitt spotted a group of approximately twenty-five Japanese soldiers hidden in caves from which they were directing extremely heavy short range rifle fire into the rear of the post. Alert to the grave danger threatening the Regimental Commander and other officers and men he unhesitatingly engaged the enemy in a fierce fire fight killing three Japanese riflemen and driving the remainder from their stronghold into a clearing before he, himself, fell mortally wounded by hostile fire. By this heroic act, he insured the safety of the personnel at the post enabling them to annihilate the fleeing Japanese riflemen. Private First Class Clampitt’s courageous devotion to duty, indomitable fighting spirit and self-sacrificing efforts on behalf of his fellow Marines were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United Sates Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.