Sergeant
United States Marine Corps Reserve
Herbert Thomas
Citation
Citation
SERGEANT HERBERT J. THOMAS
UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS RESERVE
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity
at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving
with the Third Marines, Third Marine Division, in action against enemy
Japanese forces during the battle at the Koromokina River, Bougainville
Island, Solomon Islands, on November 7, 1943. Although several of his men
were struck by enemy bullets as he led his squad through dense jungle undergrowth
in the face of severe hostile machinegun fire, Sergeant Thomas and his
group fearlessly pressed forward into the center of the Japanese position
and destroyed the crews of two machine guns by accurate rifle fire and
grenades. Discovering a third gun more difficult to approach, he carefully
placed his men closely around him in strategic positions from which they
were to charge after he had thrown a grenade into the emplacement.
When the grenade struck vines and fell back into the midst of the group,
Sergeant Thomas deliberately flung himself upon it to smother the explosion,
valiantly sacrificing his life for his comrades. Inspired by his
selfless action, his men unhesitatingly charged the enemy machinegun and,
with fierce determination, killed the crew and several other nearby defenders.
The splendid initiative and extremely heroic conduct of Sergeant Thomas
in carrying out his prompt decision with full knowledge of his fate reflect
great credit upon himself and the United States Naval Service. He
gallantly gave his life for his country.
FRANKLIN D. ROOSEVELT
President of the United States
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