William H. Thomas (January 13, 1923 – April 22, 1945) was a
United States Army soldier and a recipient of the United States military's highest decoration—the
Medal of Honor—for his actions in
World War II.
Biography
Thomas joined the Army from
Ypsilanti, Michigan in 1942,
Service Profile
/ref> and by April 22, 1945, was serving as a private first class
Private first class (french: Soldat de 1 classe; es, Soldado de primera) is a military rank held by junior enlisted personnel in a number of armed forces.
French speaking countries
In France and other French speaking countries, the rank (; ) ...
in the 149th Infantry Regiment, 38th Infantry Division. On that day, during a firefight in the Zambales Mountains on the island of Luzon in the Philippines, Thomas continued to fight even after being mortally wounded by an explosion which blew off both of his legs. He died later that day and was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor five months later, on September 24, 1945.
Thomas, aged 22 at his death, was buried at the Manila American Cemetery and Memorial in the Philippines.
Medal of Honor citation
Private First Class Thomas' official Medal of Honor citation reads:
He was a member of the leading squad of Company B, which was attacking along a narrow, wooded ridge. The enemy strongly entrenched in camouflaged emplacements on the hill beyond directed heavy fire and hurled explosive charges on the attacking riflemen. Pfc. Thomas, an automatic rifleman, was struck by 1 of these charges, which blew off both his legs below the knees. He refused medical aid and evacuation, and continued to fire at the enemy until his weapon was put out of action by an enemy bullet. Still refusing aid, he threw his last 2 grenades. He destroyed 3 of the enemy after suffering the wounds from which he died later that day. The effective fire of Pfc. Thomas prevented the repulse of his platoon and assured the capture of the hostile position. His magnificent courage and heroic devotion to duty provided a lasting inspiration for his comrades.
See also
*List of Medal of Honor recipients
The Medal of Honor was created during the American Civil War and is the highest military decoration presented by the United States government to a member of its armed forces. The recipient must have distinguished themselves at the risk of their ...
*List of Medal of Honor recipients for World War II
This is a list of Medal of Honor recipients for World War II. The Medal of Honor was created during the American Civil War and is the highest military decoration presented by the United States government to a member of its armed forces. The recip ...
* USS '' Rixey,'' a troopship named at one time for Thomas.
References
*
{{DEFAULTSORT:Thomas, William H.
1923 births
1945 deaths
United States Army personnel killed in World War II
United States Army Medal of Honor recipients
People from Wynne, Arkansas
United States Army soldiers
World War II recipients of the Medal of Honor
Burials at the Manila American Cemetery