William H. Thomas

Private First Class · U.S. Army

U.S. Army, 149th Infantry, 38th Infantry Division

22 April 1945 · Zambales Mountains Luzon, Philippine Islands

Branch: U.S. Army
Era: World War II
Home state: Michigan
Action: Zambales Mountains Luzon, Philippine Islands

The citation

Official citation

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. Private First Class 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 Private First Class 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.

Sources

U.S. Army Medal of Honor citation index
Wikipedia. Linked only. The article text is not copied here.