The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to First Lieutenant Thomas A. Duddleson (MCSN: 0-36191), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as a Platoon Leader of Company C, First Tank Battalion, FIRST Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Okinawa, Ryukyu Islands, 13 June 1945. When, during an assault well forward of friendly lines, one of the tanks in his platoon was hit by fire from a hostile antitank gun and the enemy concentrated fire on the disabled vehicle, trapping the crew inside, First Lieutenant Duddleson unhesitatingly dismounted from his own tank with a towing cable and, despite intense hostile fire, attached the cable to the disabled vehicle. Still on foot and under heavy Japanese sniper and mortar fire that pinned down near-by infantry troops, he guided his tank as it towed the disabled vehicle to a covered area within friendly lines. By his outstanding courage and initiative, First Lieutenant Duddleson saved the lives of one of his tank crews and prevented complete destruction of the tank. His devotion to duty was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.