The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918 (amended by an act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to First Lieutenant Thomas Mitchell McNish, Sr. (AFSN: FR-78806), United States Air Force, for gallantry in connection with military operations against opposing armed forces while serving with the 354th Tactical Fighter Squadron, Takhli Royal Thai Air Base, Thailand, in action near Hanoi, North Vietnam, on 4 September 1966. On that date, as Pilot of an F-105D Thunderchief, Lieutenant McNish was directed to destroy a large Petroleum Storage Facility used in support of the North Vietnamese aggressive policies. In the face of savage defensive artillery and missiles, Lieutenant McNish continued to press the attack and successfully delivered his weapons to destroy the assigned target. By his gallantry and devotion to duty, Lieutenant McNish has reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918 (amended by an act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Silver Star to Captain Thomas Mitchell McNish, Sr. (AFSN: FR-78806), United States Air Force, for gallantry and intrepidity in action in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force during the period 1 to 3 August 1967, while a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam. Ignoring international agreements on treatment of prisoners of war, the enemy resorted to mental and physical cruelties to obtain information, confessions, and propaganda materials. Captain McNish resisted their demands by calling upon his deepest inner strengths in a manner which reflected his devotion to duty and great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918 (amended by an act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star to Captain Thomas Mitchell McNish, Sr. (AFSN: FR-78806), United States Air Force, for gallantry and intrepidity in action in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force during the period 4 September to 8 September 1966, while a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam. Ignoring international agreements on treatment of prisoners of war, the enemy resorted to mental and physical cruelties to obtain information, confessions, and propaganda materials. Captain McNish resisted their demands by calling upon his deepest inner strengths in a manner which reflected his devotion to duty and great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.