The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Navy Distinguished Service Medal to Major General Clifton Bledsoe Cates (MCSN: 0-155), United States Marine Corps, for exceptionally meritorious service to the Government of the United States in a duty of great responsibility as Commanding General of the FOURTH Marine Division, prior to and during the seizure of enemy Japanese-held Iwo Jima, in the Volcano Islands, from 19 February 1945 to 20 March 1945. Inculcating in the officer sand men of his regiments his own indomitable spirit of aggressiveness, Major General Cates organized, trained and welded his depleted division into a formidable fighting command in a relatively brief period between critical operations. A bold tactician, he landed his force on the southeast shore of the island against heavy infantry resistance and, defying the continuous, terrific bombardment laid down by enemy guns located strategically on high ground which afforded direct observation and complete coverage of his entire zone of action, pushed his relentless advance inch by inch through the shifting volcanic sands. Fighting furiously without respite for twenty-four successive days despite heavy casualties, his Division progressed slowly but steadily toward the objective, driving the Japanese garrison from its intricate system of defenses with inexorable determination until the fanatic opposition of a desperate and ruthless enemy was crushed. Repeatedly disregarding his own personal safety, Major General Cates traversed his front lines daily to rally his tired, depleted units and by his undaunted valor, tenacious perseverance and staunch leadership in the face of overwhelming odds, constantly inspired his stout-hearted Marines to heroic effort during critical phases of the fierce campaign. His resolute fortitude and decisive conduct throughout reflect the highest credit upon Major General Cates, his gallant command and the United States Naval Service.
Sponsored by:
Awards Received
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Silver Star
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Silver Star
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Silver Star
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Silver Star
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Distinguished Service Cross
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Navy Distinguished Service Medal
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Navy Cross
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Distinguished Service Cross
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Legion of Merit
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Silver Star
Service:
United States Marine CorpsRegiment:
Sixth Regiment (Marines)Division:
2d Division, American Expeditionary ForcesAction Date:
October 1 – 10, 1918
Citation Orders, 2d Division, American Expeditionary ForcesBy direction of the President, under the provisions of the act of Congress approved July 9, 1918 (Bul. No. 43, W.D., 1918), Clifton Bledsoe Cates (MCSN: 0-155), United States Marine Corps, is cited by the Commanding General, American Expeditionary Forces, for gallantry in action and a silver star may be placed upon the ribbon of the Victory Medals awarded him. Cates distinguished himself while serving with 96th Company, 6th Regiment (Marines), 2d Division, American Expeditionary Forces at Blanc Mont, France, 1 to 10 October 1918. (THIRD Citation)
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Silver Star
Service:
United States Marine CorpsRank:
Second LieutenantRegiment:
Sixth Regiment (Marines)Division:
2d Division, American Expeditionary ForcesAction Date:
June 6 – July 10, 1918
Citation Orders, 2d Division, American Expeditionary ForcesBy direction of the President, under the provisions of the act of Congress approved July 9, 1918 (Bul. No. 43, W.D., 1918), Second Lieutenant Clifton Bledsoe Cates (MCSN: 0-155), United States Marine Corps, is cited by the Commanding General, American Expeditionary Forces, for gallantry in action and a silver star may be placed upon the ribbon of the Victory Medals awarded him. Second Lieutenant Cates distinguished himself while serving with 96th Company, 6th Regiment (Marines), 2d Division, American Expeditionary Forces at Chateau-Thierry, France, 6 June to 10 July 1918. (SECOND Citation)
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Silver Star
Service:
United States Marine CorpsRegiment:
Sixth Regiment (Marines)Division:
2d Division, American Expeditionary ForcesAction Date:
November 11, 1918
Citation Orders No. 88, 2d Division, American Expeditionary ForcesBy direction of the President, under the provisions of the act of Congress approved July 9, 1918 (Bul. No. 43, W.D., 1918), Clifton Bledsoe Cates (MCSN: 0-155), United States Marine Corps, is cited by the Commanding General, SECOND Division, American Expeditionary Forces, for gallantry in action and a silver star may be placed upon the ribbon of the Victory Medals awarded him. Cates distinguished himself while serving with the 96th Company, Sixth Regiment (Marines), 2d Division, American Expeditionary Forces in France during World War I.
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Silver Star
Service:
United States Marine CorpsRank:
Second LieutenantRegiment:
Sixth Regiment (Marines)Division:
2d Division, American Expeditionary ForcesAction Date:
October 2 – 9, 1918
GHQ, American Expeditionary Forces, Citation Orders No. 1 (June 3, 1919)By direction of the President, under the provisions of the act of Congress approved July 9, 1918 (Bul. No. 43, W.D., 1918), Second Lieutenant Clifton Bledsoe Cates (MCSN: 0-155), United States Marine Corps, is cited by the Commanding General, American Expeditionary Forces, for gallantry in action and a silver star may be placed upon the ribbon of the Victory Medals awarded him. Second Lieutenant Cates distinguished himself by gallantry in action while serving with the 96th Company, Sixth Regiment (Marines), 2d Division, American Expeditionary Forces, in action near Somme-Py, France, 2 – 9 October 1918, and by his brilliant leadership in leading his company.
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Distinguished Service Cross
Service:
United States Marine CorpsRank:
CaptainRegiment:
Sixth Regiment (Marines)Division:
2d Division, American Expeditionary ForcesAction Date:
June 6, 1918
War Department, General Orders No. 81 (June 26, 1919)The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Captain Clifton Bledsoe Cates (MCSN: 0-155), United States Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism while serving with the Ninety-Sixth Company, Sixth Regiment (Marines), 2d Division, A.E.F., in action near Chateau-Thierry, France, 6 June 1918. While advancing with his company on the town of Bouresches their progress was greatly hindered by withering machine-gun and artillery fire of the enemy which caused many casualties, one of whom was his commanding officer. Taking command, Captain Cates led them on to the objective despite the fact that he was rendered temporarily unconscious by a bullet striking his helmet and that this was his first engagement. Exposing himself to the extreme hazard, he reorganized his position with but a handful of men.
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Navy Distinguished Service Medal
Service:
United States Marine CorpsRank:
Major GeneralDivision:
4th Marine DivisionAction Date:
July 12 – August 1, 1944
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Distinguished Service Medal to Major General Clifton Bledsoe Cates (MCSN: 0-155), United States Marine Corps, for exceptionally meritorious service to the Government of the United States in a duty of great responsibility as Commanding General, FOURTH Marine Division, prior to and during the conquest of enemy Japanese-held Tinian Island in the Marianas Group, from 12 July 1944 to 1 August 1944. Assuming command of a division depleted in physical strength by twenty-five days of continuous combat on Saipan, Major General Cates brought his officers and men to the peak of battle-readiness and, organizing his attack plans with decisive clarity, landed the division as the leading assault group or the beaches of Tinian on 24 July. Expeditiously establishing a beach-head and deploying his units, he stormed the island’s strong defenses, annihilating a powerful enemy counter-attack before dawn of the next day, and, continuing his relentless aggression for two days as he advanced beyond the assigned objective to seize Mt. Lasso, thereafter moved forward within the assigned zone without interruption until the island fell to our forces nine days later. His forceful leadership, indomitable courage and tenacious determination in reducing his objective in a minimum of time contributed materially to the conquest of this important stronghold and reflect the highest credit upon Major General Cates, his gallant command and the United States Naval Service.
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Navy Cross
Service:
United States Marine CorpsRank:
First LieutenantRegiment:
Sixth Regiment (Marines)Division:
2d Division, American Expeditionary ForcesAction Date:
June 6, 1918
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to First Lieutenant Clifton Bledsoe Cates (MCSN: 0-155), United States Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism while serving with the 96th Company, 6th Regiment (Marines), 2d Division, A.E.F. in action near Chateau-Thierry, France, 6 June 1918. While advancing with his company on the town of Bouresches their progress was greatly hindered by withering machine-gun and artillery fire of the enemy which caused many casualties, one of whom was his commanding officer. Taking command, Captain Cates led them on to the objective despite the fact that he was rendered temporarily unconscious by a bullet striking his helmet and that this was his first engagement. Exposing himself to the extreme hazard, he reorganized his position with but a handful of men.
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Distinguished Service Cross
Service:
United States Marine CorpsRank:
CaptainRegiment:
Sixth Regiment (Marines)Division:
2d Division, American Expeditionary ForcesAction Date:
June 13 – 14, 1918
War Department, General Orders No. 81 (June 26, 1919)The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Service Cross to Captain Clifton Bledsoe Cates (MCSN: 0-155), United States Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism while serving with the Ninety-Sixth Company, Sixth Regiment (Marines), 2d Division, A.E.F., in action near Bois-de-Belleau, France, June 13 – 14, 1918. During the night, a severe gas attack made it necessary to evacuate practically the entire personnel of two companies, including officers. Captain Cates, suffering painfully from wounds, refused evacuation remaining and rendering valuable assistance to another company.
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Legion of Merit
Service:
United States Marine CorpsRank:
Major GeneralAction Date:
August 7 – December 15, 1942
Heroes U.S. Marine Corps, 1861 – 1955: Jane Blakeney(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Major General Clifton Bledsoe Cates (MCSN: 0-155), United States Marine Corps, was awarded the Legion of Merit for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States in the Pacific Theater of Operations during the period from 7 August to 15 December 1942.