The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Second Lieutenant Thomas C. Cook (MCSN: 0-41791), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as a Rifle Platoon Leader attached to Company A, First Battalion, Seventh Marines, FIRST Marine Division during action on enemy Japanese held Okinawa, Ryukyu Group on 11 May 1945. With his platoon subjected to intense mortar and machine gun fire from the front, right and left flanks during an attack against strong Japanese forces firmly entrenched on a ridge overlooking the battalion’s zone of action; Second Lieutenant Cook repeatedly crossed open terrain exposed to intense fire to lead his platoon in an assault against the hostile positions. Gaining the ridge’s top, he skillfully directed the fire of his unit upon pill boxes and Japanese soldiers occupying the ruins of a village, destroying the emplacements and inflicting heavy casualties upon the enemy. His courage, daring leadership and unwavering devotion to duty were inspiring to those with whom he served and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.