Gayln Clay

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Gayln Clay (18032647), Sergeant, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with Company K, 23d Infantry Regiment, 2d Infantry Division, in action against enemy forces on 26 July 1944, in France. During an attack on enemy positions near Le Bois de la Roche, France, Sergeant Clay and his squad were instructed to eliminate an enemy machine gun emplacement which had stopped the advance of his entire company. During the assault, every man in the squad was killed or wounded. Sergeant Clay, though badly wounded in the leg, disregarded his wound and without fear or hesitation, continued the advance alone, crawling through short grass, still exposed to this machine gun’s fire. As he approached the machine gun nest, he was again wounded, this time by an enemy hand grenade. Again, oblivious of his wounds, he actually pulled the enemy gun from its emplacement and emptied his rifle into the nest. He then threw two hand grenades into the dugout, killing all three members of the gun crew. The success of this single-handed mission enabled the attack to sweep on to its objective. Sergeant Clay’s intrepid actions, personal bravery and zealous devotion to duty exemplify the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States and reflect great credit upon himself, the 2d Infantry Division, and the United States Army.