The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Corporal Thomas R. Rudisill (MCSN: 2400003), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Squad Leader with Company K, Third Battalion, Third Marines, THIRD Marine Division, in connection with military operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On the morning of 9 March 1969, Corporal Rudsill’s squad was preparing to withdraw from a night ambush site near Mai Loc in Quang Nam Province when the Marines encountered a company size North Vietnamese Army force. Reacting immediately, he re-positioned his men in a defensive perimeter and directed their fire at the advancing enemy. Completely disregarding his own safety, he maneuvered across the fire-swept area to a vantage point from which he could better direct the efforts of his squad. Ignoring the hostile rounds impacting nearby, he fearlessly remained in his dangerously exposed position until it proved to be untenable. Skillfully deploying his men to more advantageous terrain, he continued to supervise his unit’s defense and offer words of encouragement to his Marines. His heroic and timely actions were instrumental in the defeat of the numerically superior North Vietnamese Army force while accounting for over twenty enemy soldiers confirmed killed and one captured. By his courage, aggressive fighting spirit and unwavering devotion to duty at great personal risk, Corporal Rudisill inspired all who observed him and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.