The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Sergeant Thomas J. Hagood (ASN: 37505969), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company B, 1st Battalion, 145th Infantry Regiment, 37th Infantry Division, in action against the enemy at Luzon, Philippine Islands, on 5 February 1945. During an advance along a street in Manila, one squad of Sergeant Hagood’s platoon worked their way across the roof tops to cover the troops in the street. Suddenly the advancing Americans were brought under fire by the enemy, and one soldier, seriously wounded, fell between the railings on the roof of a house. There he hung, desperately but unavailingly struggling to free himself. Although Japanese machine gun and rifle fire rent the air, Sergeant Hagood immediately dashed from his covered position in the street, climbed the shattered walls, disengaged the wounded soldier from the poling, and dragged him back to safety. His gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.