The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to First Lieutenant Thomas A. Hobbs (MCSN: 0-102952), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as Commanding Officer of Company K, Third Battalion, First Marines, FIRST Marine Division (Rein.), FMF, in connection with combat operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On 7 April 1969, while his company occupied an abandoned hostile base camp during a protracted search and destroy operation, First Lieutenant Hobbs, anticipating further enemy attacks, foresightedly supervised the establishment of a defensive perimeter and the positioning of crew served weapons to provide maximum security for his men. That night, an estimated battalion of hostile soldiers launched repeated assaults against the company. Although enemy rounds were impacting throughout the hazardous area, First Lieutenant Hobbs, displaying exceptional composure during a critical situation, fearlessly maneuvered across the fire-swept terrain shouting directions and encouragement to his men and adjusting supporting artillery fire against the hostile force from dangerously exposed vantage points. His bold actions and aggressive leadership were instrumental in his company’s defeat of the attacking unit and the death of fifteen soldiers while sustaining only minimal Marine casualties. On the morning of 11 April, two of First Lieutenant Hobbs’ platoons became pinned down and sustained several casualties during a fierce engagement with a well-concealed North Vietnamese Army unit occupying heavily fortified positions. Mustering the remainder of his company, he quickly led them to the designated area. After fearlessly supervising the evacuation of the wounded Marines, he formulated an imaginative plan of attack, then, boldly moving across the hazardous area to a forward position from which he could coordinate supporting artillery fire with the movement of his units, he initiated an aggressive assault against the enemy emplacements which forced the North Vietnamese Army unit to retreat. His heroic actions and calm presence of mind inspired all who observed him and were instrumental in the defeat of thirty additional soldiers and the seizure of enemy weapons and documents, containing information of intelligence value. By his courage, bold initiative and unwavering devotion to duty in the face of grave personal danger, First Lieutenant Hobbs 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.