The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Private First Class Harold Thomas Cooke (MCSN: 1686983), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving with Company F, Second Battalion, Ninth Marines, THIRD Marine Division (Rein.), FMF, in connection with combat operations against insurgent communist (Viet Cong) forces in the Republic of Vietnam. During a combat patrol on 30 January 1966, the platoon to which Private First Class Cook was assigned as a rifleman was ambushed by more than one hundred Viet Cong. Within ten yards of his position, an enemy machine gun was pouring deadly accurate fire into his platoon. Accompanied by another Marine, Private First Class Cooke assaulted the Viet Cong gun emplacement, undaunted by the withering fire as he maneuvered as close as possible to the enemy position. Hurling grenades and firing rifles as a team, Private First Class Cooke and his companion eliminated the position and killed four Viet Cong who were manning the gun. Turning his attention to other targets, he continued to attack Viet Cong positions until the enemy was either eliminated or had fled the area. By his extraordinary courage in the face of grave personal risk, Private First Class Cooke upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.