Navy Federal Credit Union

Awards Received

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Private First Class

    Batallion:

    3d Battalion

    Regiment:

    23d Infantry Regiment

    Division:

    2d Infantry Division

    Action Date:

    February 1, 1951

    Headquarters, 2d Infantry Division, General Orders No. 179 (March 31, 1952)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Private First Class Thomas M. Graski (ASN: RA-16317388), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of Mortar Company, (attached to Company I), 23d Infantry Regiment, 2d Infantry Division, in action against an armed enemy on 1 February 1951 in the vicinity of Ipo-ri, Korea. On that date, Private Graski, serving in the capacity of a radio operator, relaying information concerning enemy positions for the forward observer, was attached to a unit which was under attack by a numerically superior enemy force. The heavy enemy fire launched on the friendly forces, wounded the forward observer and damaged Private Graski’s means of communication. Private Graski, disregarding his own personal safety, improvised a radio and began to cross the fire-swept terrain in order to act as forward observer. Although under direct enemy small-arms and mortar fire, he advanced tenaciously until he was in a command site from which he was able to observe the enemy’s avenue of approach. From there he called in for one round of mortar fire just fifty yards to his front. Nothing that the hostile force was reorganizing in order to make a final assault, Private Graski, directed the heavy fire of his comrades with such accuracy that his unit was able to gain fire superiority and successfully repel the attack of the enemy hordes. His dauntless courage in the face of intense hostile fire and complete disregard for his personal safety during the handling of a most critical situation, were an inspiration to those engaged in the mission. The gallantry in action and selfless devotion to duty displayed by Private Graski on that occasion reflect great credit upon himself and the military service.