The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star to Captain Thomas J. Bohannon (MCSN: 0-21354), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as Commanding Officer of Company A, First Battalion, First Marines, FIRST Marine Division (Reinforced), in action against enemy aggressor forces in Korea on 23 February 1951. When his company was assigned the mission of seizing a strongly defended ridge on the flank of the battalion objective, Captain Bohannon unhesitatingly led his men in a determined attack up the hazardous ridge in the face of intense hostile small arms and automatic weapons fire, destroying numerous enemy entrenchments. Although the unit was temporarily pinned down by devastating hostile fire from reverse slope positions, which was also delaying the advance of friendly units on his flanks, he bravely moved forward through the heavy enemy fire to the foremost elements of his company and launched a vicious assault on the hostile bunkers, engaging in hand-to-hand combat and completely routing the enemy. By his inspiring leadership, resolute determination and indomitable fighting spirit, Captain Bohannon contributed materially to the successful seizure of the battalion objective and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
Sponsored by:
Awards Received
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Silver Star
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Silver Star
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Silver Star
Service:
United States Marine CorpsRank:
CaptainBatallion:
1st BattalionRegiment:
1st MarinesDivision:
1st Marine Division (Rein.)Action Date:
April 24, 1951
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Second Gold Star in lieu of a Third Award of the Silver Star to Captain Thomas J. Bohannon (MCSN: 0-21354), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as Commanding Officer of Company A, First Battalion, First Marines, FIRST Marine Division (Reinforced), in action against enemy aggressor forces in Korea on 24 April 1951. Assigned the mission of seizing and holding vital high ground to permit the battalion to fight its way out of encirclement by a numerically superior hostile force, Captain Bohannon skillfully led a vigorous attack against the well-entrenched enemy occupying the assigned objective. Braving hostile mortar, automatic weapons and small arms fire, he spearheaded an assault to seize the hostile strongpoint and then fearlessly moved among his men, inspiring and encouraging them as he organized defenses of the area in the face of strong enemy resistance. After effectively leading his company in repulsing frequent hostile counterattacks for approximately two hours, he skillfully conducted the disengagement of his unit, despite increasing intense enemy fire and, in addition, personally supervised the evacuation of casualties and directed the fire of supporting tanks on the rapidly closing hostile troops. His personal courage, skill as a tactician and leader, and indomitable devotion to duty were contributing factors in permitting the battalion to pass through the encirclement, thereby reflecting great credit upon Captain Bohannon and the United States Naval Service.
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Silver Star
Service:
United States Marine CorpsRank:
First LieutenantBatallion:
1st BattalionRegiment:
22d MarinesDivision:
6th Marine DivisionAction Date:
May 11, 1945
Commanding General, Fleet Marine Force Pacific: Serial 3791The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to First Lieutenant Thomas J. Bohannon (MCSN: 0-21354), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving as Executive Officer of Company A, First Battalion, Twenty-Second Marines, SIXTH Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Okinawa, Ryukyu Islands, on 11 May 1945. When his company, with three attached tanks, was held up by intense enfilading anti-tank, machine-gun, mortar and rifle fire from strong hostile positions on a hill on the company’s left flank, First Lieutenant Bohannon unhesitatingly ran forward and, despite the heavy enemy fire, mounted the turret of the leading tank and directed its fire against a hostile anti-tank gun and two machine gun positions. While under constant enemy observation and fire from his position on the tank, he continued to direct the tank’s fire until the anti-tank gun and machine guns were silenced. By his bold initiative and resourcefulness, he contributed materially to the successful advance of his company which enabled the Battalion to reach the objective with a minimum loss of life. His courageous conduct was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.