The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Corporal Clayton J. I. Straw (MCSN: 289224), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as gunner in a 75-mm. gun half-track serving with a company in the First Battalion, Seventh Marines, FIRST Marine Division, during action against enemy Japanese forces at Capt Gloucester, New Britain, 6 January 1944. Engaged with his company in a coordinated attack against a heavily fortified road block, Corporal Straw repeatedly risked severe enemy fire by climbing to the top of the vehicle hood for clearer vision in his determined search for heavy hostile machine guns, antitank guns and riflemen skillfully concealed in the dense jungle undergrowth. Locating four Japanese positions, he directed his guns with deadly accuracy, firing at a point-blank range of 50 years and completely annihilating them. Corporal Straw’s splendid initiative and heroic conduct in the face of enemy fire were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.