The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Captain (Corps of Engineers) Thomas S. Swartz, United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving as Commanding Officer of Company A, 13th Engineer Combat Battalion, 7th Infantry Division, in action against the enemy near Hoengsong, Korea, on 12 February 1951. On this date, Captain Swartz was directing the construction of an escape route for an entrapped battalion. Without warning, his own unit was surrounded and ambushed by enemy forces. With complete disregard for his own personal safety, Captain Swartz exposed himself to withering enemy small arms and automatic weapons fire, moving about his men, coordinating their fire, until both men and vehicles of the unit were able to successfully withdraw. While continuing to a new defensive position, they were ambushed again. Wounded from the first encounter, Captain Swartz still disregarded his personal safety to direct his men in laying down an effective field of fire. His actions contributed immeasurably in repulsing the attack and saving the column from being overrun. Captain Swartz’s gallantry on this occasion reflect great credit on himself and the military service.