Richard Thomas graduated from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, Class of 1924. He retired with disability in 1945 as a U.S. Army Colonel.
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Richard Thomas graduated from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, Class of 1924. He retired with disability in 1945 as a U.S. Army Colonel.
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The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting the Soldier’s Medal to Captain Richard Garner Thomas, Jr., United States Army, for heroism at the risk of life not involving conflict with an armed enemy displayed at East Station, Tientsin, China, 29 July 1937. In conjunction with the movement of the 3d Battalion, 15th Infantry, from Camp Burrowes, Chinwangtao, China, to American Barracks, Tientsin, China, a freight car carrying machine guns, ammunition, and other valuable United States Government property, arrived in the railroad freight yard at East Station, Tientsin, China, at the time Chinese and Japanese troops were engaged in battle for possession of that station. A guard of enlisted men which was posted in the freight car was isolated and cut off from all outside communication. Captain Thomas acted as guide of a detachment which removed the guard and property from the freight car to the American compound. During this operation, Captain Thomas and the detachment which he was guiding were subjected to sporadic rifle, machine-gun, and infantry mortar fire and were exposed to bombs from airplanes engaged in the bombing of nearby buildings. By his heroic conduct in face of danger, Captain Thomas aided materially in preventing the possible loss of human life and the destruction of Government property.
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(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Colonel (Infantry) Richard Garner Thomas, Jr., United States Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving as Commanding Officer of the 15th Infantry Regiment, 3d Infantry Division, in action against the enemy in the European Theater of Operations, in 1943 and 1944. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by Colonel Thomas, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.