The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lieutenant Colonel (Field Artillery) Thomas Leslie Crystal, United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with the G-2 Section as Staff Intelligence Officer for the NINETEENTH Army Corps, in action against the enemy, in France, in 1944. Advancing beyond German lines in Brittany France, for 36 hours Lieutenant Colonel Crystal played possum, lying within ten feet of temporary German emplacements after his own position was overrun by a crack panzer and infantry division. He made a detailed eyewitness study of German techniques which have resulted in the development of new measures against Germany’s armored troops by our forces in France. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by Lieutenant Colonel Crystal, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.