The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star to Second Lieutenant Clark R. Kaltenbaugh (MCSN: 0-36345/276559), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as Leader of an Assault Rifle Platoon of Company A, First Battalion, Fifth Marines, FIRST Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Peleliu, Palau Islands, from 15 to 27 September 1944. Placing himself at the head of his platoon, Second Lieutenant Kaltenbaugh worked his way up and down the front lines to lead his men through intense hostile artillery, mortar and machine-gun fire across fourteen hundred yards of open airfield and, reaching the hostile trenches at the far side of the airfield despite heavy casualties, immediately leaped into a trench and personally killed several of the Japanese. When his unit’s advance was halted on the night of 25 September, he efficiently maintained fighting morale among his men despite the loss of fifteen Marines from concentrated heavy enemy fire and, courageously leading the unit in numerous assaults on hostile cave positions during the next two days, destroyed several hostile strong points before wounds necessitated his evacuation. By his aggressive leadership and courage, he contributed materially to the capture of a vital airfield from deeply entrenched Japanese forces. His devotion to duty was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.