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 the Silver Star to Corporal Thomas W. Cottick (MCSN: 305769), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving with the Second Battalion, Twenty-fourth Marines, FOURTH Marine Division in action against enemy Japanese forces on Namur Island, Kwajalein Atoll Marshall Islands on 1 February 1944. Volunteering to undertake an extremely hazardous mission in order to give vital information to scattered units concerning a continuation of the attack, Corporal Cottick fearlessly moved laterally across a front of two hundred fifty yards in the face of intense enemy rifle and machine gun fire, completing his assignment and contributing materially to the successful completion of the assault. Later accompanied by another Marine, he skillfully assaulted and destroyed with hand grenades a Japanese machine gun nest which had shortly before killed or wounded several of his comrades. His exceptional skill, keen initiative and heroic devotion to duty reflect the highest credit upon Corporal Cottick and the United States Naval Service.