The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Captain Stephen William Clark (MCSN: 0-91131), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action as a Pilot with Marine All Weather Fighter Squadron TWO HUNDRED THIRTY-FIVE (FMF(AW)-235), Marine Aircraft Group eleven, First Marine Aircraft Wing. On the afternoon of 3 May 1968, Captain Clark launched as Section Leader of a flight of two F-8 Crusader aircraft assigned a visual reconnaissance/refamiliarization flight for his wingman. After becoming airborne, Captain Clark contacted the Tactical Air Direction Center and was directed to assist a Marine unit that was under intense hostile fire near Dong Ha. Arriving over the besieged unit, he contacted the Tactical Air Controller (Airborne) and was briefed on the friendly and enemy situation. Realizing the necessity for precise ordinance delivery due to the proximity of Marine and North Vietnamese units, he quickly pinpointed the enemy emplacements and skillfully conducted two rocket runs, delivering his ordnance with unerring accuracy. Commencing a strafing run, he received intense hostile ground fire. Ignoring the enemy fire, he fearlessly continued his attack and ably delivered a heavy volume of suppressive fire upon the North Vietnamese soldiers. As he maneuvered his aircraft out of the strafing pass, it suddenly went out of control and crashed to the ground. Largely due to his resolute determination and superb aeronautical ability, he suppressed the fire from the enemy emplacements, enabling the Marines to launch an aggressive attack on the position. By his courage, superb airmanship and unwavering devotion to duty, Captain Clark upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.