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.

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.