THOMAS, WILLIAM H. - Medal of Honor Recipient
Rank and organization: Private First Class, U.S. Army, 149th Infantry,
38th Infantry Division. Place and date: Zambales Mountains Luzon, Philippine
Islands, 22 April 1945. Entered service at: Ypsilanti, Mich. Birth. Wynne,
Ark. G.O. No.: 81, 24 September 1945. 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 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.
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