The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918 (amended by act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Specialist Fourth Class William Carl Thomas (ASN: US-56497048), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam, while serving with Company C, 3d Battalion, 12th Infantry, 1st Brigade, 4th Infantry Division. Specialist Fourth Class Thomas distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 9 November 1967 while serving as a rifle squad leader conducting a reconnaissance patrol on a hill near Dak To. His squad had penetrated the perimeter of a well-entrenched North Vietnamese Army battalion when it suddenly began receiving intense automatic weapons fire from fortified bunkers. As the firefight grew more intense, it became necessary for the squad to return to its company’s perimeter. Specialist Thomas remained in the battle area and covered his squad’s withdrawal with his shotgun and grenade launcher. Rejoining his men, he learned that a squad member lay critically wounded near the enemy positions. With complete disregard for his own safety, he crawled back up the hill through a hail of bullets and retrieved the casualty. He then treated the man’s wounds, saving his life. Again exposing himself to the withering barrage, Specialist Thomas fearlessly and expertly directed artillery strikes on the enemy bunker complex. Later, a sister squad maneuvering against the hostile force was pinned down by the fire from a spider hole emplacement. He crawled through a savage curtain of fire to within five meters of the position, threw a hand grenade into the hole, and silenced the enemy weapon. When he noticed an enemy soldier aiming his rifle at the American commander, Specialist Thomas threw himself onto the officer, knocking him to the ground as the bullet sped over their heads. He then courageously maneuvered through a fusillade of hostile fire and destroyed three more enemy bunkers. Specialist Fourth Class Thomas’ extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.