The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Army Distinguished Service Medal to Captain Thomas Macy Shock (NSN: 0-8294), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States in command of all local Naval Activities during active operations against the enemy on Guadalcanal, British Solomon Islands, from 12 December 1942 to 9 February 1943, on which latter date all Japanese resistance on that island was crushed. The attack forces under his direction succeeded in sinking two enemy destroyers, one enemy submarine, and in damaging one cruiser and eight destroyers, thus seriously handicapping enemy attempted to reinforce, and later, to evacuate his forces on this island. The Naval Forces under Captain Shock’s direction rendered valuable assistance during the offensive land operations by delivering a daily and most effective Naval bombardment against enemy strong points and supply dumps in close liaison with the ground forces. Captain Shock organized and directed the convoy operations which successfully transported the land force attack units to Verahue without loss, and in supplying these units continuously while the operations were in progress. By his personal courage and the professional skill he displayed, the Naval support rendered to offensive land operations contributed largely to the successful operation against the Japanese forces on Guadalcanal.