The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Private First Class Vern W. Thomas (MCSN: 830279), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as a Browning Automatic Rifleman serving with Company G, Second Battalion, Fourth Marines, SIXTH Marine Division during action against enemy Japanese forces on Okinawa, Ryukyu Islands on 16 April 1945. Voluntarily moving forward with a comrade to assist a wounded man under intense enemy fire Private First Class Thomas fearlessly advanced through the vicious machine gun barrage to a position forward of the casualty in order to spot the hostile emplacement. Quickly locating and destroying the Japanese machine gun, he elected to remain in his exposed position until the wounded Marine could be given first aid and evacuated. Alert and ready for any sudden enemy move, he succeeded in killing ten more of the Japanese as they approached his position. An indomitable fighter, Private First Class Thomas, by his dauntless initiative, cool courage and unwavering devotion to duty in the face of tremendous odds, rendered valiant service and his gallant conduct throughout reflects the highest credit upon himself and the United States Naval Service.