The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to First Lieutenant Alfred I. Thomas (MCSN: 0-45440/405931), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving as Commanding Officer of Company H, Third Battalion, Seventh Marines, FIRST Marine Division (Reinforced), in action against enemy aggressor forces in Korea on 8 December 1950. Pinned down by heavy and intense hostile small arms and automatic weapons fire while leading his depleted company of approximately forty-five men against a numerically superior enemy force estimated at three hundred, First Lieutenant Thomas repeatedly exposed himself to the continuous hail of hostile fire in order to accurately and effectively direct the fire of his group and to shout words of encouragement and inspiration to his men. Although enemy fire pierced his clothing in four different places, he boldly continued to move forward at the head of his unit across open and unprotected terrain against a determined and fanatical enemy force well-entrenched and cleverly concealed in a series of high ice-covered ridges running parallel to the road. Maintaining his forward position and continuing to bolster the morale of his weary men, he gallantly led a final attack which resulted in the seizing of his objective and the destruction of a large number of the enemy with a minimum of loss to his command. By his exceptional leadership, cool courage while under heavy enemy fire, and unflinching devotion to duty, First Lieutenant Thomas upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star to First Lieutenant Alfred I. Thomas (MCSN: 0-45440/405931), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as Commanding Officer of Company I, Third Battalion, Seventh Marines, FIRST Marine Division (Reinforced), in action against enemy aggressor forces in Korea from 1 to 18 March 1951. On one occasion, during a mission to seize a hill west of Hoengsong that had been taken and subsequently lost by friendly forces four different times, First Lieutenant Thomas promptly initiated his plans and gave his four platoon commanders a thorough briefing on the tactics to be employed in the attack against the heavily defended position. Accompanying the leading elements of his company in the assault, he continually exposed himself to heavy fire from small arms, automatic weapons and mortars to direct his men in the onslaught, inspiring them to heroic efforts throughout a furious battle which culminated with a bayonet charge to annihilate the enemy and capture numerous rifles, machine guns, grenades and other materiel. By his broad knowledge of infantry tactics, daring and forceful leadership and inspiring devotion to duty, First Lieutenant Thomas was in large measure responsible for the successful conduct of all missions assigned his company. His dauntless perseverance throughout this period of intensive combat was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.