The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lance Corporal Thomas E. Butt (MCSN: 2172737), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as Machine Gun Team Leader with the command group of Company I, 3d Battalion, 9th Marines, 3d Marine Division (Reinforced), Fleet Marine Force in connection with operations against insurgent communist (Viet Cong) forces in the Republic of Vietnam. On 30 March 1967, in the Cam Lo District of Quang Tri Province, South Vietnam, Lance Corporal Butt settled his machine gun team into a night ambush site. Suddenly and without warning, they became the target of a vicious attack. Exposing himself repeatedly to enemy fire, he courageously and skillfully directed his machine gun team. When the accompanying rocket team leader was killed, he was ordered to man the rocket leader was killed, he was ordered to man the rocket launcher site. He unhesitatingly dashed to the rocket team’s position, picked up the launcher tube and assaulted the enemy. Despite being wounded several times, Lance Corporal Butt kept on fighting. By his courage in the face of extreme personal danger, bold initiative, and tireless devotion to duty, Lance Corporal Butt reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service.