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 Tom N. Simonson (ASN: RA-17287080), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of Company C, 10th Engineer Combat Battalion, 3d Infantry Division, in action against an armed enemy in Korea. On 3 June 1951, in the vicinity of Song’ jong, Korea, Private Simonson was a member of an engineer detachment assigned the mission of stretching a rope across the Hant’an River in order to facilitate a troop crossing. While anchoring a rope on the near shore, Private Simonson noticed that two soldiers had become cramped and could not negotiate passage across the river. Although hostile machine gun and mortar fire was extremely heavy, Private Simonson unhesitatingly entered the water and helped the two infantrymen reach shore. Private Simonson’s gallant concern for the welfare of his comrades reflects great credit upon himself and exemplifies the high traditions of the military service.