The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Sergeant Norman E. Thompson (MCSN: 351593), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving with the Third Battalion, Fifth Marines, FIRST Marine Division during combat with enemy Japanese forces on Cape Gloucester, New Britain, from January 3 to 8, 1944. Braving intense hostile automatic fire, Sergeant Thompson led his squad in a vigorous attack against a strongly fortified enemy position, enabling his men to effect an initial penetration of the hostile emplacement which was subsequently captured. Displaying cool and aggressive leadership in a later attempt to seize a fiercely defended enemy ridge retarding the advance of the battalion, he directed his unit throughout five hostile counter attacks until fatally injured during a hand to hand struggle with the enemy. Sergeant Thompson’s heroic initiative and selfless devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. Sergeant Norman E. Thompson gallantly gave his life for his county.