Thomas K. Rice

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star Medal to Thomas K. Rice (1210808), Private First Class, U.S. Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy while serving with a Marine Infantry Company of the FIRST Marine Division (Rein.), FMF, in Korea, on 6 June 1952. Serving as a member of a combat patrol deep in enemy territory, Private First Class Rice displayed outstanding courage and initiative in the face of grave danger. When the patrol was engaged by a numerically superior enemy force, he was responsible for the security of the left flank and rear of the patrol. Withstanding the tremendous preparatory artillery fire, he refused to give ground when four consecutive enemy attacks were hurled against his sector. Although stunned by the concussion of mortar shells and hand grenades and exposed to intense enemy small arms and automatic weapons fire, he defiantly repelled fierce enemy onslaughts which came within six feet of his position. In the course of the action he personally killed eight enemy and put the rest to flight. Private First Class Rice’s courage and fearless devotion to duty were an inspiration to all who observed him and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.