The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Major Thomas E. Mobley, Jr. (MCSN: 0-5499), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as Pilot of a Fighter Plane in Marine Fighter Squadron ONE HUNDRED TWENTY-THREE (VMF-123) attached to the U.S.S. BENNINGTON (CV-20), in action against enemy Japanese forces in the vicinity of Kure Naval Base, Honshu, Japan, on 19 March 1945. As leader of a fighter sweep intercepting a numerically superior force of hostile aircraft, Major Mobley expertly guided his formation in destroying nine and damaging five Japanese planes, thereby diverting the enemy’s main fighter strength from possible attacks on our planes then approaching for a strike against units of the Japanese Fleet. Although his own plane was severely damaged during the engagement, he succeeded in personally destroying one enemy plane and damaging another. His inspiring leadership and devotion to the completion of a hazardous mission were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.