The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star to Corporal Thomas W. Cottick (MCSN: 305769), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as a Squad Leader of Company F, Second Battalion, Twenty-fourth Marines, FOURTH Marine Division during operations against enemy Japanese forces on Saipan, Mariana Islands from 15 June to 9 July 1944. Landing a three man patrol on a hazardous mission to determine the definite location of an assault battalion in need of reinforcements on 21 June, Corporal Cottick dauntlessly pushed forward in the face of enemy machine gun, mortar and rifle fire until he reached the objective. Reporting back to his Commanding Officer and learning that a change of plans necessitated his return to the battalion he traversed approximately twelve hundred yards of heavily wooded enemy infested terrain in the darkness and led two companies to a newly assigned position, thereby enabling the battalion to close the dangerous gap that existed on its left flank. During his action and numerous other reconnaissance patrols his courage, initiative and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Second Gold Star in lieu of a Third Award of the Silver Star to Corporal Thomas W. Cottick (MCSN: 305769), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving as an Acting Platoon Leader of Company F, Second Battalion, Twenty-fourth Marines, FOURTH Marine Division in action against enemy Japanese forces on Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands on 3 March 1945. When intense fire from a hostile pill box halted the advance of his company Sergeant Cottick courageously exposed himself to the rain of enemy fire to advance on the position and personally neutralized its fire with hand grenades thereby enabling a demolition team to completely destroy the enemy pill box. Under his able and intrepid leadership his company unhesitatingly advanced to other hostile emplacements and effectively destroyed all resistance. Throughout the day, Sergeant Cottick continued to conduct his men in effective assaults against fortified positions and rendered valuable service to his command until he was wounded by enemy mortar fire. His leadership, fortitude and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.