The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Sergeant Thomas O. McQuerry (MCSN: 2151702), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as Artillery Forward Observer of Company A, First Battalion, Fourth Marines, THIRED Marine Division in connection with military operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On the morning of 6 March 1968, Sergeant McQuerry was the Forward Observer and Assistant Patrol Leader of a fifteen man unit operating in Quang Tri Province. When the Marines observed several NAV units moving together, Sergeant McQuerry advised his patrol leader to avoid contact with the numerically superior hostile force and maneuver to an area from which supporting arms could be effectively utilized. Suddenly, the patrol was discovered by the enemy and as the Marines commenced withdrawing to a more advantageous position, Sergeant McQuerry steadfastly remained behind while skillfully directing artillery fire upon the advancing hostile soldiers. When the patrol leader was subsequently wounded while establishing his men in a defensive perimeter, Sergeant McQuerry boldly took charge of the unit and, shouting words of encouragement to his Marines, directed their fire while continuing to adjust artillery rounds which prevented the enemy from enveloping the friendly position. Skillfully employing supporting arms fire to open an avenue of escape through the hostile force, he ignored the enemy rounds impacting near him while fearlessly carrying the wounded patrol leader across the fire swept terrain and directing his men from the hazardous area. His bold initiative and resolute determination inspired all who observed him and were instrumental in his patrol accounting for six North Vietnamese soldiers killed while sustaining only one casualty. By his courage, aggressive leadership and unwavering devotion to duty in the face of great personal danger, Sergeant McQuerry 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.