The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Sergeant Elmo L. Clarke (MCSN: 297901), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving with Company I, Third Battalion, Eighth Marines, SECOND Marine Division, during action against enemy Japanese forces at Tarawa, Gilbert Islands, on 20 November 1943. Embarked on a tank lighter which bogged down on a coral reef a considerable distance from shore during landing operations on D-Day, Sergeant Clarke immediately swam to the beach under the enemy’s concentrated shellfire stripped off his pack and returned to aid others in danger of drowning. Undaunted by the intense machine gun and mortar fire directed at the lighter he repeatedly made his way to and from the area to rescue five men and bring them to shore. By his daring initiative, outstanding fortitude and valiant disregard of his own danger, Sergeant Clarke was an inspiration to those with whom he served and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.