The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star to Captain (Infantry) Thomas H. Tackaberry (ASN: 0-60504), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of Company D, 9th Infantry Regiment, 2d Infantry Division, in action against an armed enemy on 13 – 14 August 1952 in the vicinity of Chorwon, North Korea. On those dates, Captain Tackaberry, on his own initiative, organized a volunteer patrol to go into enemy-held territory and search for wounded members of another company which had suffered many casualties, and had become disorganized. Under intense small arms fire, and heavy mortar and artillery bombardment, he led his patrol through a known mine field and removed seven wounded men from the danger area. With complete disregard for personal safety, Captain Tackaberry crossed and re-crossed the enemy mine field and removed seven wounded men from the danger area. Under increasingly heavy mortar and artillery fire, and in the presence of known enemy patrols, he moved towards the disorganized patrol’s objective, evacuating more wounded men. Moving further up the hillside, they continued to search the area for wounded, and on two separate occasions actually entered the enemy communication trenches. Only after the entire area was completely searched and the wounded evacuated did Captain Tackaberry order his patrol to return to friendly lines. His heroic actions were responsible for saving the lives of many wounded men and prevented many others from being captured by the enemy. The gallantry in action displayed by Captain Tackaberry reflects great credit upon himself and the military service.

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Captain (Infantry) Thomas H. Tackaberry (ASN: 0-60504), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of Company K, 9th Infantry Regiment, 2d Infantry Division, in action against an armed enemy on 2 September 1952 in the vicinity of Chorwon, North Korea. On that date, Captain Tackaberry led a volunteer raiding patrol against a well entrenched enemy position. As the patrol reached a small hill crest near the objective, they were pinned down by enemy fire. Captain Tackaberry led two men down the exposed slope of the hill, silencing one source of the enemy fire by killing the three occupants of an enemy bunker. Returning to the crest of the hill, he paused briefly to secure first aid for the two men that had accompanied him and had been wounded during the action. At this time, the enemy were able to increase their volume of fire by bringing up three light machine guns and several mortar squads. Sensing the danger of the situation and in complete disregard of personal safety, Captain Tackaberry continually exposed himself to the enemy by moving up and down the line many times, directing the fire and shouting words of encouragement. During the action, he grabbed an automatic rifle and silenced one enemy machine gun. Moving to a strategic point nearest the enemy, he began to pour a rain of carbine fire pausing briefly to throw grenades into the bunkers. Many casualties were inflicted upon the enemy by his actions. When the supply of ammunition was beginning to e acute, he directed the patrol in a withdrawal movement, taking care to evacuate all of his wounded and personally giving them covering fire support until they reached the safety of friendly lines. The extraordinary gallantry of Captain Tackaberry reflects great credit upon himself and the military service.