The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to First Lieutenant (Field Artillery) Thomas Springfield (ASN: 0-1823227), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with the 823d Tank Destroyer Battalion, 30th Infantry Division, in action against the enemy from 6 August 1944 to 13 August 1944, in France. First Lieutenant Springfield was assigned to duty as a platoon leader with a tank destroyer organization engaged in supporting an infantry unit bitterly attempting to repel a vigorous and determined enemy counterattack. First Lieutenant Springfield was serving as Commanding Officer of a road block. Despite inadequate support, and incessant shelling by hostile artillery fire, nebelwerfers, mortars, and small arms fire of such intensity that his guns were severely damaged by the action, First Lieutenant Springfield, at great personal risk, maintained the road block for a considerable period of time, keeping open a supply and evacuation route of inestimable value to our forces. His personal fortitude and fighting courage were in a large measure responsible for the eventual repelling of an enemy thrust which, had it succeeded, would have caused serious consequences in the operations of American armies in France. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by First Lieutenant Springfield, 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.