The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Corporal Clarence W. Leach (MCSN: 318854), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving as a Rifle Squad Leader of Company I, Third Battalion, Sixth Marines, SECOND Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Saipan, Mariana Islands, 1 July 1944. When his acting Platoon Leader became a casualty, Corporal Leach assumed command of his unit and, after expertly reorganizing the badly depleted platoon, reconnoitered his section and led his men to the advance over a rocky, cave-infested cliff despite intense enemy machine-gun and rifle fire, maintaining complete control at all times. His courage and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.