The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Captain (Infantry), [then First Lieutenant] Thomas F. Sheehan (ASN: 0-2018586), United States Army, for gallantry in action as Commanding Officer, Company M, 3d Battalion, 21st Infantry Regiment, 24th Infantry Division, in action near Katei-li, Korea, on 8 September 1950. His company was attacked by a numerically superior enemy force supported by numerous automatic weapons. While directing his company’s operations Captain Sheehan observed that the assistant gunner of a recoilless rifle had been wounded. Advancing through a hail of fire, he assisted the gunner in the loading of the weapon thereby maintaining heavy fire power on the enemy. During the ensuing fire fight a group of friendly tanks joined in the struggle. Assigning another man to the recoilless rifle Captain Sheehan climbed aboard the lead tank, manned its machine gun and poured a hail of deadly fire into the enemy’s ranks. Through his accurate fire and his directions to the tank crews the enemy was repulsed with heavy losses. His fearless actions and superior leadership reflect the greatest credit on himself and the United States Infantry.