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 (Infantry) Thomas J. Blue (ASN: 0-5536188), United States Army, for heroism in connection with military operations against a hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam on 6 March 1967. On this date Lieutenant Blue was serving as Platoon Leader for the Weapons Platoon of Company B, 1st Battalion, 35th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division, which was engaged in a search and destroy operation near the village of Hoa Tan. As the platoon approached the village, Lieutenant Blue moved his platoon into a hedgerow. Almost immediately, the platoon came under heavy machine gun and automatic weapons fire from a bunker and trench system twenty-five meters to their front. Lieutenant Blue immediately maneuvered his element into position. With the platoon under heavy fire, Lieutenant Blue rallied his men and moved up on the right flank in an effort to direct the elimination of an enemy automatic weapon. Constantly exposing himself to heavy fire, Lieutenant Blue moved forward with complete disregard for his own personal safety in order to get to his platoon’s left flank. Finding the left flank pinned down, he reorganized his element and withdrew them to a more suitable location for maneuver. This reorganization of the left flank of his platoon, their subsequent placement of heavy fire on the enemy, and resumption of the attack drove the enemy from their position into the withering fire of Company B’s command group and the remainder of the second platoon. Lieutenant Blue’s heroic actions and outstanding leadership were an inspiration to all the men in his platoon and aided greatly in the accomplishment of the company’s mission. Lieutenant Blue’s outstanding display of aggressiveness, devotion to duty and personal bravery was in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflects great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.

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 Major (Infantry), [then Captain] Thomas J. Blue (ASN: 0-5536188), United States Army, for exceptionally valorous action on 1 October 1969 while serving as Company Commander in Phuoc Long Province, Republic of Vietnam, while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force. When the mortar attack began, Major Blue began calling in aerial artillery, artillery and mortars to provide immediate counter fire on the enemy. Moving his remaining platoons to the aid of the platoon under attack, Major Blue demonstrated professional leadership as he led his men to stop the enemy attack. His gallant action was in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflects great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.