The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pleasure in presenting the Medal of Honor to First Lieutenant Clifford Thomson, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism on 2 May 1863, while serving with Company A, 1st New York Cavalry, in action at Chancellorsville, Virginia. First Lieutenant Thomson volunteered to ascertain the character of approaching troops; rode up so closely as to distinguish the features of the enemy, and as he wheeled to return they opened fire with musketry, the Union troops returning same. Under a terrific fire from both sides Lieutenant Thomson rode back unhurt to the Federal lines, averting a disaster to the Army by his heroic act.