The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Sergeant Claud H. Leath (MCSN: 287963), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving with Company A, First Battalion, Eighteenth Marines (Engineer), SECOND Marine Division, at Tarawa, Gilbert Islands, on 20 November 1943. Landing with the first assault wave during fierce hostilities on D-Day, Sergeant Leath fearlessly advanced under shattering machine-gun and snipe fire to within arms length of a strong reinforced concrete emplacement and, despite the extreme danger, accurately placed his explosive charges in position to neutralize the hostile fire and enable our forces to continue their inland advance. By his daring initiative, unwavering perseverance and cool courage in the face of extreme peril, Sergeant Leath contributed materially to the success of our operations against this vital hostile stronghold and his zealous devotion to duty throughout was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.