The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Hospital Corpsman Thomas H. Waddill (NSN: 4461445), United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United Nations while serving as a Corpsman with a Marine Company of the First Battalion, Fifth Marines, FIRST Marine Division (Reinforced), in action against enemy aggressor forces in Korea on 26 March 1953. Throughout the fierce enemy attack on that night, Hospitalman Waddill conducted himself in a valorous and courageous manner, inspiring all who saw him. He administered aid and treated the wounded in the face of heavy enemy artillery and small arms fire, showing complete disregard for his own safety. At one point during the enemy assault Hospitalman Waddill threw himself on several wounded men to protect them from enemy small arms fire from a distance of ten feet. By this heroic action Hospitalman Waddill saved, temporarily, the lives of three men and in the process was severely wounded. Hospitalman Waddill’s action was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.