THE SECRETARY OF THE NAVY

WASHINGTON The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the SILVER STAR MEDAL toCORPORAL DUEY C. THOMPSON,UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS RESERVE, for service as set forth in the followingCITATION: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving with the First Battalion, Fourth Marines, Sixth Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces at Oroku Peninsula, Okinawa, Ryukyu Islands, on 10 June 1945. While his unit was moving onto Hill 58, Corporal Thompson observed an enemy mortar firing on friendly troops from a cave on the forward slope of the hill. Braving the enemy fire, he made five trips down the forward slope, throwing a grenade into the cave on each occasion. Failing to destroy the enemy mortar with his grenades, he quickly prepared a demolition charge and, rushing to the cave, dropped the charge into the entrance, thereby sealing the cave and destroying the enemy. By his courage and gallant devotion to duty, Corporal Thompson upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. For the President, John L. sullivan Secretary of the Navy