The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Sergeant Cliston R. Prim (MCSN: 291425), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as platoon guide serving with the FIRST Marine Division in action against enemy Japanese forces on Cape Gloucester, New Britain on January 10, 1944. Braving an intense barrage of fire from well-entrenched hostile positions concealed in dense jungle undergrowth, Sergeant Prim and a companion fearlessly went forward in an effort to rescue a wounded comrade. Forced to dig a hole with his bare hands to protect himself from the devastating fire as he worked his way forward, Sergeant Prim was not only successful in this heroic action but silenced and captured a hostile machine gun that had been inflicting heavy casualties on this unit. His daring aggressiveness, relentless fighting spirit and self-sacrificing efforts in the face of grave peril were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.