Serving as a soldier in the U.S. Army, Private First Class William H. Thomas was awarded the Medal of Honor posthumously for his actions on April 22, 1945 in Zambales Mountains, Luzon, Philippine Islands during World War II. At the time he was serving with Company B, 149th Infantry, 38th Infantry Division. Thomas was 22 years old.
Thomas was killed in the action for which his medal was awarded. One other service member also received the Medal of Honor for actions on the same day.
Thomas was born on January 13, 1923 in Wynne, Cross County, Arkansas. His Medal of Honor is credited to Ypsilanti, Washtenaw County, Michigan. He is buried at A.B.M.C. Manila Cemetery in Manila, Philippines. His medal is held by Michigan Heroes Museum, Frankenmuth, MI.
Thomas is one of 474 Medal of Honor recipients from World War II and one of 112 credited to Michigan.
Official Medal of Honor 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. Pfc. Thomas, an automatic rifleman, was struck by one 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 two grenades. He destroyed three 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.
Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.
Wounds and death in action
What the citation records about his wounds:
He destroyed three of the enemy after suffering the wounds from which he died later that day.
- Killed in action during the act for which the medal was awarded (April 22, 1945).
- Age at death: 22
- Resting place: A.B.M.C. Manila Cemetery
Battles and campaigns
Also served in: World War II.
Places
Veteran resources, cemeteries and meeting places in Michigan →
Timeline
- January 13, 1923Born in Wynne, Cross County, Arkansas
- April 22, 1945Act of valor — Zambales Mountains, Luzon, Philippine IslandsAge 22. Company B, 149th Infantry, 38th Infantry Division Killed in action.
- Resting placeA.B.M.C. Manila CemeteryManila
Biography
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.
From the Wikipedia article “William H. Thomas (Medal of Honor)”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read the full article →
