The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Staff Sergeant Thomas E. Murphy (MCSN: 1830087), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Platoon Commander with Company A, First Battalion, First Marines, FIRST Marine Division, in connection with military operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On 20 April 1968, Company A was conducting a search and destroy operation north of Hill 881 near Khe Sanh when the Marines suddenly came under a heavy volume of mortar and small arms fire from a large North Vietnamese Army force. During the ensuing fire fight, Staff Sergeant Murphy’s platoon sustained numerous casualties. After rapidly deploying his men to provide security for the wounded Marines, he led a squad in an attack on an enemy mortar position. While his men delivered covering fire for him, Staff Sergeant Murphy fearlessly maneuvered across thirty meters of fire-swept terrain and, throwing a hand grenade into the hostile emplacement, silenced the mortar position. Suddenly, he came under automatic weapons fire from an adjacent fortification. Completely disregarding his own safety, he commenced an aggressive assault against the emplacement and hurled a hand grenade which killed the North Vietnamese soldier occupying the position. Continuing his determined efforts, he skillfully reorganized his platoon and led them through intense enemy mortar fire to a position of relative safety. His heroic and timely actions inspired all who observed him and enabled him to account for three North Vietnamese soldiers confirmed killed. By his courage, aggressive fighting spirit and steadfast devotion to duty in the face of great personal danger, Staff Sergeant Murphy upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.