The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Corporal Clyde Clutter (ASN: 36158504), United States Army Air Forces, for gallantry in action against an armed hostile force while serving in a B-17 Heavy Bomber of the FIFTH Air Force in the Pacific Theater of Operations, on 18 November 1942. Corporal Clutter was one of four members of a Flying Fortress which attacked a Japanese convoy consisting of a light cruiser and two destroyers north of Buna, New Guinea. Damaging near misses were scored upon the cruiser, and the convoy was so delayed that another task force was able to attack before the convoy reached Buna, sinking one vessel and damaging another. After the bombing run, seven enemy fighters attacked the B-17. In an air battle lasting 50 minutes, two Zeros were shot down, another probably shot down and a fourth damage. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by Corporal Clutter, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army Air Forces.