The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Navy Cross (Posthumously) to Corporal Clarence H. St. Clair, Jr. (MCSN: 2460676), United States Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism while serving as a Squad Leader with Company K, Third Battalion, Seventh Marines, FIRST Marine Division (Reinforced), Fleet Marine Force, in connection with combat operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On 28 August 1969, while Company K was conducting a search and destroy operation in Quang Nam Province, the lead platoon was pinned down by small arms, automatic weapons, and anti-aircraft fire from enemy soldiers concealed in well-camouflaged emplacements. Directed to assist the pinned-down element, Corporal St. Clair deployed his men to the point of heaviest contact and instantly came under intense fire. Observing two principal sources of hostile fire, he directed two of his fire teams to provide covering fire while he maneuvered his third team toward the enemy emplacements. While crawling toward their objective, the men were seriously wounded by enemy grenades. Quick to act, Corporal St. Clair began crawling through the enemy cross fire toward the first objective and had advanced only five meters when he was severely injured by the detonation of another grenade. Recovering quickly, he pressed his advance until he was close enough to the enemy bunker to hurl a grenade through its aperture, destroying the position and its occupants. Although suffering intense pain, he valiantly continued in the direction of the second objective and, while thus engaged, was mortally wounded. By his courage, aggressive fighting spirit and unwavering devotion to duty in the face of grave personal danger, Corporal St. Clair contributed significantly to the accomplishment of his unit’s mission and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.