The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Private First Class Thomas Godfrey Kupcho (MCSN: 2408039), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Machine Gunner with Company B, First Battalion, Twenty-Sixth Marines, THIRD Marine Division, in connection with operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On the morning of 29 May 1968, while participating in Operation ALLEN BROOK, Company B became heavily engaged with a large North Vietnamese Army force in the vicinity of DaNang. As the lead elements assaulted through a tree line, Private First Class Kupcho effectively provided covering fire for the advancing Marines. After his unit was consolidated, he unhesitatingly assumed the point position and, upon entering the tree line, delivered a heavy volume of automatic weapons fire against enemy emplacements which had pinned down the members of an adjacent platoon. Fearlessly exposing himself to the hostile fire, he silenced four emplacements with his M-60 machine gun and assisted in accounting for five North Vietnamese soldiers killed. Upon learning that the lead elements of his company had been halted by intense North Vietnamese automatic weapons and sniper fire, he boldly moved forward and aggressively assaulted a hostile fortification, killing two enemy soldiers. As the hostile force began to break contact, he continued to deliver accurate covering fire, enabling his comrades to evacuate mortally wounded and injured Marines. His heroic actions and bold initiative inspired all who observed him and were instrumental in his accounting for seven North Vietnamese soldiers confirmed killed. By his courage, aggressive fighting spirit and unwavering devotion to duty, Private First Class Kupcho contributed significantly to the accomplishment of his unit’s mission and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.