The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Second Lieutenant Patrick Cleburne McClary, III (MCSN: 0-102130), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Platoon Commander with Company A, First Reconnaissance Battalion, FIRST Marine Division (Rein.), FMF, in connection with combat operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. In the early morning hours of 5 March 1968, Second Lieutenant McClary was in command of a fifteen-man reconnaissance patrol manning an observation post deep in enemy controlled territory south of DaNang when their position was attacked by an estimated platoon-size enemy force. In the initial moments of the attack, one Marine was killed and five others were seriously wounded. An enemy hand grenade exploded in Second Lieutenant McClary’s fighting position, seriously wounding him in the head and body. Shortly thereafter, two more hand grenades exploded in his position, hurling him into the air and inflicting additional wounds. Although bleeding profusely and weak from loss of blood, he valiantly shouted orders to his men and directed the successful repulse of the initial attack. Removing the radio from his wounded radio operator, he informed higher headquarters of the situation, requested emergency aid and began to call an artillery fire mission against the enemy when he lost consciousness due to the severity of his wounds and was subsequently medically evacuated. By his courage, inspiring leadership and selfless devotion to duty despite his wounds, Second Lieutenant McClary inspired all who observed him and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.