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 Private Thomas P. Riccardi (MCSN: 669664), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving as an Ammunition Carrier in Weapons Company, Second Battalion, First Marines, FIRST Marine Division (Reinforced), in action against enemy aggressor forces in Korea on 15 September 1951. With the assault elements of the company pinned down by fire from an enemy machine gun during an attack against a strongly defended hostile stronghold, Private Riccardi bravely charged through the enemy fire to hurl a grenade into the gun emplacement. When the missile proved ineffective, he promptly set up a machine gun in an exposed area and delivered accurate fire upon the hostile emplacement, killing both members of the enemy gun crew. Later in the action, when his unit was subjected to flanking automatic weapons fire, he again rushed forward of the assault elements and, drawing hostile fire upon himself in a daring effort to locate the enemy positions, killed two of the enemy with his carbine. By his outstanding courage, exceptional initiative and aggressive fighting spirit, Private Riccardi served to inspire all who observed him and greatly aided the company in successfully accomplishing its mission, thereby upholding the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.