The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Bronze Star Medal to Private First Class Marshall E. Thomas (ASN: 34848661), United States Army, for heroic achievement in combat while serving with Company I, 141st Infantry Regiment, 36th Infantry Division, in combat on 2 January 1945 in France. When a large enemy force threatened to overrun the company’s position, a withdrawal was ordered. Private First Class Thomas, a machine gunner, volunteered to man his gun as a rearguard during the withdrawal. He moved his gun to a more exposed position and delivered a heavy volume of fire, temporarily halting the hostile advance. Although his actions drew heavy return fire from the enemy, he continued to fire until his company had set up a strong defense. By his courage and determination Private First Class Thomas enabled the men of his company to make a withdrawal to positions from which they later successfully counterattacked.