The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Second Lieutenant Thomas J. Hoare, Jr. (MCSN: 0-95789), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Platoon Commander with Company L, Third Battalion, Fourth Marines, THIRD Marine Division (Rein.), FMF, in connection with combat operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On the afternoon of 7 January 1968, Second Lieutenant Hoare’s platoon was pinned down by intense small arms and machine gun fire from a North Vietnamese Army company west of Gio Linh and sustained several casualties. While artillery fire and air strikes were directed against the hostile fire, he withdrew his unit to a more defensible position. Realizing that several wounded Marines were still in an area dangerously exposed to enemy fire, Second Lieutenant Hoare and another Marine maneuvered through the fire-swept area to the casualties. Undaunted by the hostile fire impacting around him, he remained in the hazardous area firing his rifle and throwing hand grenades until all injured men were evacuated. On 18 January, his unit was pinned down by a heavy volume of fire from a North Vietnamese Army force north of An Dinh. With complete disregard for his own safety, he fearlessly stood up and, while leading his men toward the hostile force, was mortally wounded. By his courage, superb leadership and unwavering devotion to duty, Second Lieutenant Hoare contributed significantly to the accomplishment of his unit’s mission and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.