The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Private First Class Thomas J. McInerney, Jr. (MCSN: 448783), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving with Company I, Third Battalion, Fifth Marines, FIRST Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Okinawa, Ryukyu Islands, 6 May 1945. When an enemy heavy machine gun inflicted many casualties and impeded the progress of his company, Private First Class McInerney volunteered to lead his fire team forward and, with a member of the team, advanced under intense hostile machine-gun and mortar fire to within a few feed of the enemy gun. Using hand grenades and rifle fire, he killed six of the Japanese gunners, seized a machine gun and carried it back to his lines, thereby enabling his company to advance. His courage, initiative and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest tradition of the United States Naval Service.