The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Sergeant Thomas J. Gaskey, United States Army, for gallantry in action in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force on 6 September 1969, while serving as a squad leader with Troop C, 1st Squadron, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, in the Republic of Vietnam. On this date, the Troop was called to aid another of the squadron’s Troops engaged with a North Vietnamese Army battalion. As it approached the contact area, his unit came under intense hostile small arms, automatic weapons, rocket-propelled grenade, mortar and heavy machine gun fire. While the vehicles were assaulting the enemy positions, Sergeant Gaskey was wounded by an impacting mortar round. Nevertheless, when he learned that his platoon sergeant had been mortally wounded, Sergeant Gaskey left his vehicle and ran through the enemy fusillade to assume command of the platoon sergeant’s vehicle. Refusing to be evacuated, he led his platoon in engaging the enemy for six more hours until the hostile force had been routed. Sergeant Gaskey’s heroic actions were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army.