The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Bronze Star Medal with Combat “V” to Special Warfare Operator First Class Collin T. Thomas, United States Navy, for heroic achievement in connection with combat operations against the enemy as Assistant Cross-Functional Team Leader for a Joint Task Force, in direct support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM from 6 October 2007 to 10 January 2008. Petty Officer Thomas organized and led his joint and combined team in executing complex combat operations in the search for senior Al-Qaida leaders in highly contested regions. His intuitive leadership in the field was instrumental during several strategic level missions. During one operation, Petty Officer Thomas quickly assembled and led a team to the lower level of an enemy stronghold, engaging and defeating heavily armed and barricaded enemy fighters in close quarters battle. His strong leadership and quick thinking were instrumental in the successful clearance of the compound and the establishing of a secure site to render aid to a wounded teammate. By his extraordinary guidance, zealous initiative, and total dedication to duty, Petty Officer Thomas reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. (Petty Officer Thomas is authorized to wear the Combat “V”.)
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Awards Received
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Bronze Star Medal
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Silver Star
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Bronze Star Medal
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Bronze Star Medal
Service:
United States NavyRank:
Special Warfare Operator First ClassAction Date:
October 6, 2007 – January 10, 2008
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Silver Star
Service:
United States NavyRank:
Chief Special Warfare OperatorAction Date:
August 18, 2010
The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Senior Chief Special Warfare Operator (SEAL) Collin Trent Thomas, United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy while serving as an Assistant Team Leader while assigned to a Joint Task Force in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM on 18 August 2010. Chief Petty Officer Thomas and his team were conducting a sensitive sight exploitation associated with known armed enemy fighters in the area of operation. Immediately after insertion, the assault force received effective fire from a tree line directly to their East. The force bounded toward the enemy and took multiple casualties on their Northern-most flank. Realizing the entrenched enemy had a superior fighting position; Chief Petty Officer Thomas broke cover and led his team on a flanking maneuver to support the Northern element who was engaged in heavy contact. As his team maneuvered, he observed an armed enemy fighter inside a six-foot deep trench that ran the length of the tree line. Chief Petty Officer Thomas, identifying the threat that the enemy posed on the rest of his team, boldly charged and engaged the enemy while being fired upon by an automatic weapon. He eliminated the enemy, but was mortally wounded during the exchange of gunfire. Chief Petty Officer Thomas’ actions directly saved the lives of his teammates. By his bold leadership, courageous actions, and total devotion to duty, Chief Petty Officer Thomas reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
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Bronze Star Medal
Service:
United States NavyRank:
Chief Special Warfare OperatorAction Date:
July 7, 2008 – June 15, 2009
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Second Gold Star in lieu of a Third Award of the Bronze Star Medal with Combat “V” to Chief Special Warfare Operator Collin T. Thomas, United States Navy, for heroic achievement in connection with combat operations against the enemy as an Assault Team Member for a Joint Task Force in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM from 7 July 2008 to 10 September 2008 and 9 February 2009 to 15 June 2009. During this period, Chief Petty Officer Thomas prosecuted multiple objectives in Afghanistan, resulting in several key enemy leaders captured and scores of enemy fighters eliminated. Specifically, during a night raid on 28 July 2008, after receiving rocket propelled grenade fire on his assault force, he maneuvered with his team on-line toward two barricaded enemies within the targeted structure. After containing the structure and realizing that his team was in a precarious location in relation to another enemy element, Chief Petty Officer Thomas broke cover and moved to an exposed position to take a precise shot with a thermobaric light anti-armor rocket, partially destroying the structure. He then immediately closed the distance to the structure, entered, and eliminated the two barricaded armed enemy personnel at close range. By his extraordinary guidance, zealous initiative, and total dedication to duty, Chief Petty Officer Thomas reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. (Chief Petty Officer Thomas is authorized to wear the Combat “V”.)