The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Private First Class Thomas E. Sharpe (MCSN: 2377204), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Rifleman with Company L, Third Battalion, Twenty-Seventh Marines, FIRST Marine Division in connection with operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On 18 May 1968 during Operation Allen Brook, Company L was pinned down by grenades and intense machine gun, automatic weapons and small arms fire from well concealed, fortified and mutually supporting North Vietnamese Army positions in a tree line. Completely disregarding his own safety, Private First Class Sharpe exposed himself to hostile fire in order to deliver effective suppressive fire on the enemy positions. Pinpointing the location of one of the enemy automatic weapons, he obtained an M-79 grenade launcher and fired on the emplacement. Due to the angle of fire, however, his fire was ineffective and he unhesitatingly moved to a more advantageous position where he succeeded in silencing the hostile weapon. As he moved from the position, he was killed by sniper fire. His timely and heroic actions relieved the pressure on his beleaguered unit and enabled the company to resume its advance. By his courage, bold initiative and selfless devotion to duty. Private First Class Sharpe upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life in service of his country.