Navy Federal Credit Union

Awards Received

  • Distinguished Service Cross

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Private First Class

    Batallion:

    3d Battalion

    Regiment:

    30th Infantry Regiment

    Division:

    3d Infantry Division

    Action Date:

    May 28, 1944

    Headquarters, SEVENTH U.S. Army, General Orders No. 21 (January 28, 1945)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Private First Class Thomas W. Boyer (ASN: 36573515), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with Headquarters Company, 3d Battalion, 30th Infantry Regiment, 3d Infantry Division, in action against enemy forces at Lariano, Italy, on 28 May 1944. Private First Class Boyer, an observer attached to a combat patrol, struck out with another man across one hundred and fifty yards of coverless ground to a strongly-defended enemy-held house. Then, opening fire with his M-1 rifle, he shot two of the enemy. While enemy soldiers ran out of the building, Private First Class Boyer engaged an armored half-track at a range of fifteen yards, puncturing its tires with rifle fire, shooting at its engine, and finally dueling with the turret machine gunner and forcing him to cease fire. He destroyed four more of the enemy before he was hit by a sniper’s bullet. Despite his painful wound, Private First Class Boyer continued his single-handed fight, silencing the sniper and holding off the enemy force in the armored vehicle and in the house until his patrol could withdraw to safety. Bleeding and dazed from his serious wound, he finally made his way back alone to his comrades, and then collapsed. Though assigned to the patrol as an observer only, Private First Class Boyer had assaulted an enemy strong point, destroyed six of the enemy, held off and damaged an armored half-track and, though gravely wounded, continued his gallant fight to cover the withdrawal of his comrades. He was killed in a subsequent action. Private First Class Boyer’s extraordinary heroism, personal bravery and zealous devotion to duty exemplify the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States and reflect great credit upon himself, the 3d Infantry Division, and the United States Army.