The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Sergeant Thomas Edward Mitchell, Jr. (MCSN: 2247666), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Platoon Sergeant with Company D, First Battalion, Fifth Marines, FIRST Marine Division (Rein.), FMF, in connection with combat operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On the evening of 24 May 1968, Sergeant Mitchell’s platoon had established an ambush on a suspected enemy infiltration route in Thua Thien Province and became heavily engaged with a numerically superior North Vietnamese Army force. Ignoring the hostile small arms fire and B-40 rockets impacting around him, Sergeant Mitchell boldly moved about the hazardous terrain, shouting words of encouragement to his men and directing them into positions for an assault on the enemy. During the initial moments of the attack, the platoon commander was seriously wounded. Reacting instantly, Sergeant Mitchell immediately took charge of the platoon and, with complete disregard for his own safety, fearlessly led a determined assault on the enemy soldiers, forcing them to flee in panic and confusion. His superb leadership and heroic actions inspired all who observed him and were instrumental in his unit accounting for ten enemy soldiers confirmed killed. By his courage, aggressive fighting spirit and steadfast devotion to duty in the face of great personal danger, Sergeant Mitchell upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.