Navy Federal Credit Union

Awards Received

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Marine Corps

    Rank:

    Staff Sergeant

    Batallion:

    2d Battalion

    Regiment:

    1st Marines

    Division:

    1st Marine Division (Rein.), FMF

    Action Date:

    September 7, 1970

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Staff Sergeant Thomas M. Grim (MCSN: 1938316), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Platoon Sergeant with Company E, Second Battalion, First Marines, FIRST Marine Division in connection with combat operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. During the early morning hours of 7 September 1970, while Staff Sergeant Grim’s six-man team occupied an observation post in the choir loft of an abandoned church south of DaNang, the Marines detected movement nearby but, before they could react, a Viet Cong soldier threw a hand grenade into the loft. Reacting immediately, Staff Sergeant Grim dived toward the point where he thought the grenade had come to rest and quickly searched the floor for the grenade. Although he could not see in the dark and knew that the grenade was due to explode at any instant, he resolutely continued his frantic search, ensuring that his own body was between his men and the grenade. Upon locating the grenade, he dived toward the edge of the choir loft and dropped it over the wall where it detonated harmlessly. By his courage, bold initiative, and selfless devotion to duty in the face of grave personal danger, Staff Sergeant Grim saved his fellow Marines from serious injury or possible death and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.