The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Private Thomas E. Bunten (MCSN: 934245), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving as a Stretcher-Bearer of Company E, Second Battalion, First Marines, FIRST Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Okinawa, Ryukyu Islands, 11 May 1945. While his company was pinned down by extremely heavy hostile mortar and machine-gun fire, Private Bunten courageously left cover, although painfully wounded, to go to the aid of a wounded comrade. Forced to move slowly through the intense enemy fire due to the pain from his own wound, he took his comrade to the aid station and refused medical aid until all other casualties had been treated. His outstanding courage and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.