The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Corporal Thomas J. Plover (ASN: 33028886), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Headquarters Battery, Division Artillery, 28th Infantry Division, in action against the enemy in Luxembourg, on 18 December 1944. Corporal Plover was part of a detachment of men left as rear guard in the evacuation of the 28th Division Headquarters from Wiltz, Luxembourg. The convoy in which he was traveling was forced to halt when the leading vehicles were destroyed at an enemy roadblock, shortly after leaving town. Due to the exceptionally heavy enemy fire directed at them, the men dismounted from their trucks and assumed defensive positions in a nearby woods. Corporal Plover remained in his vehicle and vigorously fired his machine gun, covering the withdrawal of his comrades and inflicting heavy losses on the enemy. Utterly disregarding the withering enemy fire, he continued to hold his position and maintain his destructive fire. When last seen he was still bravely and stubbornly holding his ground. Corporal Plover displayed outstanding gallantry and courage in this action and in so doing reflects great credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States.