Clarence O. Kelley

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Clarence O. Kelley (854672), Private First Class, U.S. Marine Corps (Reserve), for extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty while serving with the First Amphibian Tractor Battalion, FIRST Marine Division, as a Driver of an Amphibian Tractor equipped with a Flame Thrower, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Peleliu Island, Palau Group, 17 September 1944. When his tractor caught fire due to malfunctioning of the flame thrower, Private First Class Kelley steadfastly fought the blaze until ordered to abandon the vehicle by his crew chief, after which he reported that his weapon and tractor were out of action and made his way back to the conflagration under intense mortar and sniper fire. Ignoring the flames and exploding ammunition, he drove the burning tractor to an area where the fire was extinguished. His gallant devotion to duty in the face of grave danger reflects the highest credit upon Private First Class Kelley and the United States Naval Service.

SPOT AWARD, Fleet Marine Force, Pacific: Serial 0522