Navy Patrol Bombing Squadrons 102/14 Association

Combat Aircrew Wings

Patrol Bombing Squadron 102
Silver Star Recipient
KENNETH THOMAN

U.S. Navy Silver Star

In the name of the President of the United States, 
the Commander FIFTH Fleet, United States Pacific Fleet, presents the
SILVER STAR MEDAL
to

KENNETH FRANK THOMAN
AVIATION ORDNANCE MAN THIRD CLASS
UNITED STATES NAVAL RESERVE

AOM3C KENNETH THOMAN
for service as set forth in the following

Citation

"For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as Second Ordnance man of a Navy Liberator Search Plane in operations against the enemy in the Western Pacific on 27 March 1945. He assisted in the destruction of a heavily armed and armored picket boat in the face of heavy anti-aircraft fire, and when his plane was seriously damaged demonstrated heroic determination in assisting the pilot in bringing his crippled plane back to its base. His conduct was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service."

R. A. SPRUANCE
Admiral, U.S. Navy

In reply address not the signer of this letter but Commanding Officer.
Naval Air Technical Training Center, Norman, Oklahoma

Refer to No.
P15/MM
NC81-6/03-dg

1 August 1945

NAVY DEPARTMENT
NAVAL AIR TECHNICAL TRAINING CENTER
NORMAN, OKLAHOMA

To: THOMAN, Kenneth Frank,
204 57 09, AOM2c (T) (CA), USN.

Subj: Silver Star Medal; presentation of 1. 
          Delivered with congratulations.

A. H. DOUGLAS
Captain, USN

SILVER STAR

The Silver Star stands as the United States' third highest award for combat valor. Established on July 16, 1932, the Silver Star actually traces its history back to the Silver Citation Star, established on July 9, 1918. The Citation Star was a silver star device which was attached to the service ribbon of the campaign medal for which the individual was cited in Official Orders for Gallantry in Action.

Most Citation Stars are found on World War I Victory Medals. To convert their Citation Stars to Silver Star medals, service members were required to present copies of the official orders which made them eligible for the Citation Star.

While the degree of heroism required to earn the Silver Star is less than that required for the Medal of Honor or Distinguished Service Medal, it must nevertheless have been performed with marked distinction.