The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lance Corporal Thomas W. Carey (MCSN: 2262396), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving with Company F, Second Battalion, Ninth Marines, THIRD Marine Division (Rein.), FMF, in connection with combat operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On 20 May 1967, during Operation HICKORY, Lance Corporal Carey’s platoon came under intense fire from a well-entrenched North Vietnamese force. In the initial moments of the fire fight, two Marines were wounded and fell in an open rice paddy, only fifteen meters from the enemy positions. Unhesitatingly, he led three other Marines across the fire-swept area to recover the mortally wounded Marines. Almost immediately, Lance Corporal Carey was painfully wounded in the arm by grenade fragments and, as the volume of enemy fire increased, he was forced to return to a covered position. Undaunted, he rallied his companions and again maneuvered through the enemy fire and successfully recovered one of the Marines. Subsequently, when his platoon prepared to withdraw to more advantageous positions, Lance Corporal Carey boldly dashed out under the covering fire of his companions, retrieved the second Marine and returned to the safety of his platoon’s position. By his daring courage, bold initiative and selfless devotion to duty in the face of extreme danger, Lance Corporal Carey inspired all who observed him and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.