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The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting a Third Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Fourth Award of the Silver Star to Lieutenant Colonel (Infantry), [then Major] Thomas James Cleary, Jr. (ASN: 0-23998), United States Army, for gallantry in action as Commanding Officer of the 2d Battalion, 7th Infantry Regiment, 3d Infantry Division, in Korea. On 21 May 1951, near Songbong-dong, Korea, as the 2d Battalion moved out in an attack, the enemy counterattacked in the rear. Under the cover of an early morning haze, the hostile forces had infiltrated to within approximately 300 yards of the battalion command post. Colonel Cleary in the command post, called for tank and artillery support and moving to an exposed position under enemy fire, he personally placed the weapons in position. Under his astute guidance the counterfire of the artillery succeeded in repulsing the enemy assault. Colonel Cleary’s heroism and superb leadership reflect great credit upon himself and the military service.

Awards Received

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Major (Infantry)

    Regiment:

    7th Infantry Regiment

    Division:

    3d Infantry Division

    Action Date:

    Korean War
    United States Military Academy Register of Graduates

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: 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 (Infantry) Thomas James Cleary, Jr. (ASN: 0-23998), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving as S-2 (Intelligence Officer) of the 7th Infantry Regiment, 3d Infantry Division, in action against the enemy in Korea, in 1950. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by Major Cleary, 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.

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Major (Infantry)

    Batallion:

    2d Battalion

    Regiment:

    7th Infantry Regiment

    Division:

    3d Infantry Division

    Action Date:

    May 21, 1951
    Headquarters, 3d Infantry Division, General Orders No. 310 (July 25, 1951)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Silver Star to Major (Infantry) Thomas James Cleary, Jr. (ASN: 0-23998), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving as Commanding Officer of the 2d Battalion, 7th Infantry Regiment, 3d Infantry Division, in action against the enemy in Korea, in 1951. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by Major Cleary, 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.

  • Legion of Merit

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Colonel (Infantry)

    Division:

    Army War College

    Action Date:

    1967 – 1968
    United States Military Academy Register of Graduates

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Colonel (Infantry) Thomas James Cleary, Jr. (ASN: 0-23998), United States Army, was awarded the Legion of Merit for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States with the Army War College from 1967 to 1968.