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Sergeant Sullivan,
Clyde G. USMC Bronze Star Medal
The President of the United States takes
pleasure in presenting the BRONZE STAR MEDAL to
SERGEANT
CLYDE CRAIG SULLIVAN UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS
for
service as set forth in the following
CITATION:
For
heroic achievement in connection with operations against the enemy
while serving as a Platoon Sergeant with Company M, Third Battalion,
Fifth Marines, First Marine Division. On 4 September 1967 during
Operation Swift in Quang Tin Province, Sergeant SULLIVAN'S platoon,
serving as point element for the company, absorbed the brunt of a
fierce attack by a massed force of North Vietnamese troops using
small arms, automatic weapons and mortar fire. Immediately, the
platoon commander became a casualty and summoned Sergeant SULLIVAN
to move forward 100 meters to his position and assume command of the
platoon. With concern only for his duty, Sergeant SULLIVAN started
to advance but the increasing hostile fire forced him to seek cover.
While waiting for an opportunity to move, he heard the cry of one of
his squad leaders who had been wounded. Under the covering fire of
an M-79 grenade launcher, he courageously exposed himself a second
time to the intense enemy fire to go to the aid of his companion.
Moving the wounded Marine to a safe position behind a large rock, he
skillfully administered first aid and applied a battle dressing to
the disabled man's wounds. In the meantime, enemy units had moved
behind the entrapped unit and had commenced to deliver a heavy
volume of fire. Reacting instantly, Sergeant SULLIVAN ordered his
men to move to a bomb crater thirty meters distant. During this
movement, he was wounded in the forehead by a fragment from an
exploding enemy mortar. As dust came and the intensity of the attack
increased, Sergeant SULLIVAN radioed for assistance, but the other
nearby units were also heavily engaged with the enemy. Realizing the
need to move the critically injured to safety, he organized a team
to evacuate them but enemy fire was so heavy that they could only
gather the wounded into the bomb crater. When one of the casualties
ceased to breathe, Sergeant SULLIVAN applied mouth-to-mouth
resuscitation until the man was revived. Upon receiving directions
to leave the area in preparation for an air strike, Sergeant
SULLIVAN radioed the company commander that his platoon was pinned
down in the bomb crater only seventy-five meters from the enemy
positions. Despite the proximity of his unit to the target, he
courageously recommended that the air strike commence. Subsequently,
the air strike silenced the enemy automatic weapons and Sergeant
SULLIVAN was able to lead his men back to the company's position. By
his composure under the most hazardous conditions and complete
disregard for his own safety, he inspired all who observed him and
undoubtedly helped save one Marine life. Sergeant SULLIVAN's
courageous leadership, determined fighting spirit and selfless
devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the
Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service.
Sergeant
SULLIVAN is authorized to wear the Combat "V".
FOR THE
PRESIDENT
V.H. KRULAK LIEUTENANT GENERAL, U.S. MARINE
CORPS COMMANDING GENERAL, FLEET MARINE FORCE,
PACIFIC
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