The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Corporal Thomas Edward Spencer (MCSN: 2072026), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Squad Leader with Company D, First Battalion, Fourth Marines, THIRD Marine Division (Rein.), FMF, in connection with combat operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On 26 April 1968, Corporal Spender’s platoon moved to assist a friendly unit that was pinned down by a numerically superior enemy force northwest of Con Thien. As the Marines approached the beleaguered unit, they suddenly came under intense automatic weapons fire from an enemy bunker. Reacting instantly, Corporal Spencer maneuvered across the fire-swept terrain to the emplacement and delivered a heavy volume of fire through one of the bunker’s apertures, killing five North Vietnamese soldiers. After expending his ammunition, he withdrew from the position and sustained a serious wound. Ignoring the painful injury, he continued to move to a covered position unassisted. His heroic and timely actions inspired all who observed him and contributed significantly to the accomplishment of his unit’s mission. By his courage, resolute determination and unwavering devotion to duty in the face of great personal danger, Corporal Spencer upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.