The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Sergeant Thomas M. Toolen, Jr. (MCSN: 635019), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving as a Machine Gun Squad Leader of Company C, First Battalion, First Marines, FIRST Marine Division (Reinforced), in action against enemy aggressor forces in Korea on 9 March 1951. When leading elements of the company were pinned down by intense and accurate hostile automatic weapons and small arms fire, Sergeant Toolen led his men over precipitous terrain to a vantage point where fire could be brought to bear on the enemy and, after emplacing his machine gun, moved forward with only a pistol and hand grenades to initiate an assault on a hostile bunker. Returning to his squad after killing three and wounding two of the enemy, he directed effective supporting fire to aid in the routing of the entrenched enemy. By his outstanding courage, daring initiative and unswerving devotion to duty, Sergeant Toolen served to inspire all who observed him and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.