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.