The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Platoon Sergeant Clyde Cochran (MCSN: 231420), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving as Section Leader of an Assault Platoon of Headquarters Company, First Battalion, Fifth Marines, FIRST Marine Division, during action against enemy Japanese forces on Peleliu, Palau Islands, from 15 to 28 September 1944. Volunteering to carry out patrols although his duties did not require it, Platoon Sergeant Cochran repeatedly participated in the assault in the front lines. On 25 September, during an attack on a strategic enemy hill, he disregarded hostile grenades and voluntarily manning a flame thrower, worked his way to the Japanese caves, effectively employing the weapon against two of the opposing positions. On 28 and 29 September, inasmuch as his company was not committed to the assault, he volunteered his services to an assault company. He frequently aided his company’s advance by placing demolition charges on active enemy caves and setting them off. His initiative, courage and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.