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 Sergeant Thomas J. Blackburn (ASN: US-55019692), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of Company L, 38th Infantry Regiment, 2d Infantry Division, in action against an armed enemy on 6 September 1951 in the vicinity of Mandeau-san, Korea. On this date the platoon in which Sergeant Blackburn was a squad leader had infiltrated the enemy lines and was immediately surrounded and attacked by a fanatically determined hostile force. During this attack, Sergeant Blackburn personally directed his men into defensive positions and continually exposed himself to the intense enemy small arms, automatic weapons, grenade and mortar fire to inspect and boost the morale of his men. All during the night long assault by the hostile forces, Sergeant Blackburn went from position to position encouraging his men and rallying them to withstand the fanatical assault until he was fatally wounded by an enemy grenade burst. Through his self-sacrificing actions his platoon was able to successfully defend its position and inflict heavy casualties upon the attacking hostile force. The gallantry in action and selfless devotion to duty displayed by Sergeant Blackburn on this occasion reflect great credit upon himself and the military service.