The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Sergeant Andrew K. Thompson, United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as Element Leader and Team Chief, Marine Special Operations Team 8112, Marine Special Operations Company A, 1st Marine Special Operations Battalion, United States Marine Forces, Special Operations Command, in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM on 28 September 2009. Sergeant Thompson led his team and a company of the Afghan National Army in an operation to clear Shewan Village, in the Farah Province. Shortly after initiating the operation the unit came under a heavy volume of small arms, machine gun, rocket propelled grenade, and recoilless rifle fire. Sergeant Thompson set his unit in defensive positions. As the engagement continued, the enemy maneuvered to surround Sergeant Thompson’s unit. Under fire from all directions and unable to break from contact, Sergeant Thompson, with little regard for his own safety, twice re-supplied his own formation. With intensity of the firefight increasing, he requested immediate air support and coordinated the fires of responding attack helicopters and jets to ultimately break the enemy’s defense. Buoying the courage of the Afghan National Army soldiers by example, he successfully led the nearly broken Afghan unit into an attack under intense fire and defeated the enemy defenses. Sergeant Thompson’s selfless efforts and martial expertise not only ensured his unit’s combat effectiveness but also saved countless lives. By his bold initiative and undaunted courage, and complete dedication to duty, Sergeant Thompson reflected great credit upon himself and the Marine Corps and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.