The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Private First Class “J” “C” Cleghorn (MCSN: 1250409), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving as an Assistant Machine Gunner of Company G, Third Battalion, First Marines, FIRST Marine Division (Reinforced), in action against enemy aggressor forces in Korea on 19 March 1953. When his unit was subjected to a vicious hostile night attack during the defense of a vital combat outpost located well forward of the main line of resistance, Private First Class Cleghorn, although painfully wounded during the early stages of the action, bravely exposed himself to murderous enemy mortar and small arms fire to act as a means of communication between a key machine gun position and the outpost command post. Despite the intensity of the hostile grenades falling around him, he made repeated trips from the command post to the gun emplacement, relaying invaluable information. Although the enemy penetrated the position and was in the trench line, he continued to relay vital messages between the gun positions. When his path was blocked by the debris from a destroyed bunker, he left the trench line and climbed over the bunker, although silhouetted by the light from hostile shells bursting around him. By his outstanding courage, initiative and gallant devotion to duty, Private First Class Cleghorn served to inspire all who observed him and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.