The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Private Ralph D. Thomas (MCSN: 922087), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving as an Automatic Rifleman of the Second Battalion, Fourth Marines, SIXTH Marine Division in action against enemy Japanese forces on Okinawa Shima, Ryukyu Islands on 20 May 1945. When his platoon was temporarily halted by a pocket of resistance to its front, Private Thomas voluntarily advanced in the face of enemy fire and initiated a daring one man assault against the position with automatic rifle fire and grenades killing several of the occupants and routing the remainder. Although painfully wounded by hostile fire he continued to harass the enemy until his platoon reached its objective. His aggressive fighting spirit, marked courage and inspiring devotion to duty reflect great credit upon Private Thomas and the United States Naval Service.