The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Captain Thomas J. Kennedy, Jr. (MCSN: 0-69955), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action as the Senior Battalion Advisor to the Fifth Battalion, Vietnamese Marine Brigade in the hostile area of Phu An, Quang Ngai Province, Vietnam on 12 June 1966. Captain Kennedy was wit the Fifth Battalion Command Post when the lead elements were pinned down by increasingly heavy enemy fire. Immediately thereafter, the Command Post was suddenly and effectively hit by enemy mortar concentration and recoilless rifle fire from adjoining high ground. Within minutes the command was shattered. The Battalion Commander, Battalion Surgeon, several key staff officers, and a number of assistants and radio operators were killed in the initial bursts. Although suffering multiple shrapnel wounds, Captain Kennedy managed to locate a radio and, with his last breath, reported the situation giving information which allowed the remainder of the Battalion to set up a defensive perimeter and consolidate forces to repulse the repeated enemy attacks. By his actions despite moral injuries, Captain Kennedy prevented the enemy forces from overrunning the remaining battalion units and gaining an overwhelming victory. His courage and dedication to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life in the cause of freedom.