Navy Federal Credit Union

Thomas Neibaur entered active duty in the U.S. Army from the Idaho National Guard.

Awards Received

  • Medal of Honor

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Private

    Regiment:

    167th Infantry Regiment

    Division:

    42d Division, American Expeditionary Forces

    Action Date:

    October 16, 1918

    War Department, General Orders No. 118 (February 2, 1919)

    The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pleasure in presenting the Medal of Honor to Private Thomas Croft Neibaur (ASN: 98595), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism on 16 October 1918, while serving with Company M, 167th Infantry, 42d Division, in action at Landres-et-St. Georges, France. On the afternoon of 16 October 1918, when the Cote-de-Chatillion had just been gained after bitter fighting and the summit of that strong bulwark in the Kriemhilde Stellung was being organized, Private Neibaur was sent out on patrol with his automatic rifle squad to enfilade enemy machinegun nests. As he gained the ridge he set up his automatic rifle and was directly thereafter wounded in both legs by fire from a hostile machinegun on his flank. The advance wave of the enemy troops, counterattacking, had about gained the ridge, and although practically cut off and surrounded, the remainder of his detachment being killed or wounded, this gallant soldier kept his automatic rifle in operation to such effect that by his own efforts and by fire from the skirmish line of his company, at least 100 yards in his rear, the attack was checked. The enemy wave being halted and lying prone, four of the enemy attacked Private Neibaur at close quarters. These he killed. He then moved alone among the enemy lying on the ground about him, in the midst of the fire from his own lines, and by coolness and gallantry captured 11 prisoners at the point of his pistol and, although painfully wounded, brought them back to our lines. The counterattack in full force was arrested to a large extent by the single efforts of this soldier, whose heroic exploits took place against the skyline in full view of his entire battalion.