The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Corporal Thomas Edward Northrop (MCSN: 2332091), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Squad Leader with Company B, First Battalion, First Marines, FIRST Marine Division (Rein.), FMF, in connection with operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On the morning of 31 May 1968, Company B was conducting a search and destroy operation southeast of the Khe Sanh Combat Base when the Marines suddenly came under intense fire from a large North Vietnamese Army force. During the ensuing fire fight, Corporal Northrop was assigned to evacuate several wounded men from positions near the hostile emplacements in order to permit airstrikes to be conducted upon the enemy forces. As he skillfully maneuvered his men toward the location of the injured Marines, the squad came under fire from an enemy machine gun position. Reacting instantly, he deployed his men into advantageous firing positions and directed the delivery of a heavy volume of suppressive fire at the hostile emplacement. Disregarding his own safety, he fearlessly moved forward and threw several hand grenades into the position, silencing the enemy machine gun and killing two North Vietnamese soldiers. Unhesitatingly exposing himself to the hostile fire, he maneuvered across the fire-swept terrain and assisted an injured comrade to a covered position. While moving the injured man, he again came under intense machine gun fire. Realizing the seriousness of the situation, he directed elements of his squad to provide covering fire as the remainder of the Marines evacuated the casualties. His heroic and timely actions were an inspiration to all who observed him and saved the lives of several Marines. By his courage, superb leaderships and selfless devotion to duty in the face of extreme personal danger, Corporal Northrop 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.