The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Captain Reed M Clark (MCSN: 0-78778), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving with Company I, Third Battalion, Seventh Marines, on 30 January 1967. As Commanding Officer, Company I, Captain Clark led his company on a search and destroy operation against the heavily fortified hamlet of Hai Mon, Duc Pho District, Republic of Vietnam. As the company approached the hamlet across a series of wide paddies, the lead elements came under intense rifle and automatic weapons fire from strongly entrenched, mutually supporting enemy positions. It became obvious that two platoons were unable to move without incurring heavy casualties. Captain Clark immediately and aggressively attempted to maneuver his remaining platoon, skillfully utilizing the cover of supporting arms in an attempt to seize the company objective and relieve the pressure on his other two heavily engaged platoons. After eight hours of continuous contact, ammunition was becoming critically short and many weapons had become inoperative from battle damage and malfunctions cause by mud; at this time, Captain Clark was ordered to reorganize and reposition his unit in order to continue the attack against the enemy positions the following day. Skillfully utilizing the cover of darkness and supporting arms, Captain Clark successfully disengaged and secured an area from which his casualties could be evacuated. Captain Clark positioned himself well forward where he could account for all units and personnel. After arriving in the relatively secure area, Captain Clark wisely ordered another muster be taken. This muster revealed that one man was missing. Without hesitation, Captain Clark organized and led a patrol against the enemy positions, located and recovered the body of the missing Marine and returned to his company area. Captain Clark’s sustained courage throughout the 15-hour engagement, professional skill and complete disregard for his own safety was in keeping with the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service.