The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Corporal Thomas Kiernan (MCSN: 450284), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving as a Group Leader and later as a Squad Leader of Company K, Third Battalion, Twenty-third Marines, FOURTH Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands, from 19 February to 8 March 1945. By his capable leadership, Corporal Kiernan inspired his men time and again to attack enemy positions and personally volunteered many times to go on patrols, successfully accomplishing each mission. On the morning of 7 March, he crawled alone over a small rugged ridge under enemy machine-gun fire and destroyed with hand grenades a hostile machine gun and five Japanese personnel who were holding up the advance of friendly troops. His initiative, cool courage and unselfish devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.