The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Chief Special Warfare Operator (SEAL) Thomas Shea, United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy while serving as Leading Chief Petty Officer for SEAL Team SEVEN BRAVO Platoon, in direct support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM from 20 April to 1 October 2009. Chief Shea led his platoon during a two-day direct action mission in Northern Kandahar Province from 16 to 17 July 2009 when his element came under attack from heavy automatic weapons and rocket-propelled grenade fire. Despite his element being pinned down with enemy rounds impacting inside his compound, Chief Shea courageously led his platoon’s counter-attack by immediately moving through a hail of fire to an exposed position, where he fired dozens of mortars while simultaneously coordinating his platoon’s fire against the enemy. Chief Shea’s decisive actions defeated the enemy’s attack, inspired his platoon, and contributed to 56 enemy killed in action. He displayed exemplary combat leadership during 22 firefights totaling 340 hours of troops in contact in the course of 20 combat missions that resulted in 174 enemy killed in action, six high-value individuals captured, and $1. 3 billion in enemy narcotics, weapons and explosive material destroyed. Chief Shea’s bold leadership, courageous actions, and complete dedication to duty reflected great credit upon him and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.