The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lance Corporal Thomas H. McLaughlin (MCSN: 2182042), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Rifleman with Company C, First Battalion, Twenty-Sixth Marines, THIRD Marine Division (Rein.), FMF, in connection with combat operations against insurgent communist (Viet Cong) forces in the Republic of Vietnam on 21 September 1966. While engaged in a Company tank and infantry assault upon a fortified village in the Gia Linh District of Quang Nam Province, Lance Corporal McLaughlin was with the First Squad, positioned on the right flank of the Second Platoon. As the assault began, the attack force came under heavy automatic weapons fire from a trenchline fifty meters to the front. The First Squad, maneuvering a fire team to its right flank, was pinned down by intense small arms fire, sustaining one casualty. Lance Corporal McLaughlin, who had been providing a base of fire, unhesitatingly rushed forward through the deadly fire and threw a hand grenade into the Viet Cong’s position. As he maneuvered toward the parapet, he shot and killed an enemy soldier who was standing in the trench preparing to fire a rocket grenade at a Marine tank. Upon receiving fire from another enemy position to his right, he quickly turned and killed another Viet Cong, successfully halting the enemy fire. The trench was now clear, facilitating the speedy evacuation of the wounded Marine. His initiative and aggressive fighting spirit undoubtedly saved the life of his comrade and helped prevent additional losses to his unit. By his daring actions, great courage and loyal devotion to duty in the face of enemy fire, Lance Corporal McLaughlin upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.