Serving as a Marine in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve, Sergeant Clyde Aristide Thomason was awarded the Medal of Honor posthumously for his actions between August 17 and 18, 1942 at Makin Island, Gilbert Islands during World War II. At the time he was serving with Company A, 2d Marine Raider Battalion. Thomason was 28 years old.
Thomason was killed in the action for which his medal was awarded. The medal was presented on January 20, 1943.
Thomason was born on May 23, 1914 in Atlanta, Fulton County, Georgia. His Medal of Honor is credited to Georgia. He is buried at Arlington National Cemetery in remains recovered 1999, burial Aug. 2001.
Thomason is one of 474 Medal of Honor recipients from World War II and one of 23 credited to Georgia.
Official Medal of Honor citation
For conspicuous heroism and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty during the Marine Raider Expedition against the Japanese-held island of Makin on 17-18 August 1942. Leading the advance element of the assault echelon, Sgt. Thomason disposed his men with keen judgment and discrimination and, by his exemplary leadership and great personal valor, exhorted them to like fearless efforts. On one occasion, he dauntlessly walked up to a house which concealed an enemy Japanese sniper, forced in the door, and shot the man before he could resist. Later in the action, while leading an assault on an enemy position, he gallantly gave his life in the service of his country. His courage and loyal devotion to duty in the face of grave peril were in keeping with the finest traditions of the U.S. Naval Service.
Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.
Wounds and death in action
- Killed in action during the act for which the medal was awarded (August 18, 1942).
- Age at death: 28
- Resting place: Arlington National Cemetery
Other decorations and honors
Besides the Medal of Honor, Clyde Aristide Thomason received:
Source: Wikidata. Gold chips link to our guide to that decoration.
Battles and campaigns
Also served in: World War II.
Places
Veteran resources, cemeteries and meeting places in Georgia →
Timeline
- May 23, 1914Born in Atlanta, Fulton County, Georgia
- August 17 - 18, 1942Act of valor — Makin Island, Gilbert IslandsAge 28. Company A, 2d Marine Raider Battalion Killed in action.
- January 20, 1943Medal of Honor presented posthumously
- Resting placeArlington National Cemeteryremains recovered 1999
Biography
Sergeant Clyde A. Thomason (May 23, 1914 – August 17, 1942) was a United States Marine who posthumously received the Medal of Honor for heroism at the cost of his life while leading an assault during the raid on Makin Island on August 17, 1942. Thomason was the first enlisted Marine to receive the Medal of Honor during World War II.
From the Wikipedia article “Clyde A. Thomason”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read the full article →
