The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to First Lieutenant Clyde R. McGinnis (MCSN: 0-17309), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as Commanding Officer of Company K, Third Battalion, Ninth Marines, THIRD Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands, on 25 February 1945. With the Company Commander a casualty and the entire company subjected to intense hostile rifle, machine-gun and mortar fire, First Lieutenant McGinnis assumed command of the unit and boldly moved to an exposed position near his front lines to direct the attack on the enemy’s main line of resistance north of Motoyama Airfield Number Two. Braving point-blank hostile small-arms fire as he moved from one front-line position to another, he directed and encouraged his platoons and skillfully advanced the attack in the face of tremendous Japanese opposition. When seriously wounded by hostile shell fragments, he refused to be evacuated until he had contacted the Battalion Commander by radio and given him vital information concerning the tactical situation. His inspiring leadership and courage under fire were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.