The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918 (amended by an act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Silver Star to Lieutenant Colonel Thomas Henry Kirk, Jr. (AFSN: 0-20794A), United States Air Force, for gallantry in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force as an F-105 Pilot of the 357th Tactical Fighter Squadron, Takhli Royal Thai Air Base, Thailand, PACIFIC Air Force, in action over North Vietnam, on 25 October 1967. On that date, while flying as Force Commander and leading twenty F-105 Thunderchiefs, Colonel Kirk successfully struck a high priority military target. Colonel Kirk released his ordnance exactly on the target and as he began his pull off he was informed that his wingman had taken a direct hit. Colonel Kirk courageously slowed his own aircraft and maneuvered through the hostile area to assist his stricken fellow pilot; however, after observing his wingman’s successful ejection from the torching aircraft and knowing rescue was impossible, he rapidly rejoined his flight and returned to home base. By his gallantry and devotion to duty, Lieutenant Colonel Kirk has reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918 (amended by an act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star to Lieutenant Colonel Thomas Henry Kirk, Jr. (AFSN: 0-20794A), United States Air Force, for gallantry in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force as an F-105 Pilot of the 357th Tactical Fighter Squadron, Takhli Royal Thai Air Base, Thailand, in action over North Vietnam, on 12 August 1967. On that date, while flying his F-105 Thunderchief in an attack on a vital military target one of his bombs failed to release. Colonel Kirk, with complete disregard for his own personal safety, and despite intense anti-aircraft fire, hostile interceptors, Surface-to-Air missiles and extremely poor weather conditions maneuvered is aircraft outside the densely populated area near the target prior to using the emergency method to release the bomb. His aerial skill, regard for safety of non-combatant civilians near the target area, extraordinary courage and aggressiveness under these perilous circumstances, resulted in exceptional mission accomplishment and averted needless loss of life. By his gallantry and devotion to duty, Lieutenant Colonel Kirk has reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918 (amended by an act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting a Third Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Fourth Award of the Silver Star to Colonel Thomas Henry Kirk, Jr. (AFSN: 0-20794A), United States Air Force, for gallantry and intrepidity in action in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force during the period 28 October 1967 to 5 November 1967, while a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam. Ignoring international agreements on treatment of prisoners of war, the enemy resorted to mental and physical cruelties to obtain information, confessions, and propaganda materials. Colonel Kirk resisted their demands by calling upon his deepest inner strengths in a manner which reflected his devotion to duty and great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918 (amended by an act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lieutenant Colonel Thomas Henry Kirk, Jr. (AFSN: 0-20794A), United States Air Force, for gallantry in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force as an F-105 Pilot of the 357th Tactical Fighter Squadron, Takhli Royal Thai Air Base, Thailand, PACIFIC Air Force, in action over North Vietnam, on 10 August 1967. On that date, with complete disregard for his own personal safety, he attacked and destroyed an important military target in North Vietnam despite intense anti-aircraft fire, hostile aircraft fighters, Surface-to-Air missiles, and the fact that his aircraft had been hit by an 85-millimeter shell prior to commencing his bombing pass. His extraordinary courage and aggressiveness under these perilous circumstances resulted in exceptional mission accomplishment. By his gallantry and devotion to duty, Lieutenant Colonel Kirk has reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.