The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to First Lieutenant (Infantry) Samuel H. Thomas, United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with the 26th Infantry Division, in action against the enemy in the Territory of Alaska. On 14 May 1943, in the Attu operation, when reinforcements were urgently needed to support a difficult attack which had been seeking to dislodge the enemy from a high ridge in the center of Holtz Bay, Lieutenant Thomas scaled a steep cliff with a section of heavy machineguns, moved them into position in support of a small group of riflemen who held the section of the ridge and repulsed a severe enemy counterattack. Despite many casualties, including the only rifle company officer on the ridge, Lieutenant Thomas, with utter disregard for his own safety in the face of enemy rifle, machinegun and anti-aircraft fire walked upright from machine gun to machinegun, reassuring his men by his example and words. Taking complete charge, he forced the enemy to withdraw from the ridge. On the following day, again at great risk, he moved from his now relatively safe position to the most forward position of the riflemen to assist in their advance, and was seriously wounded by an enemy sniper. By his intrepidity and courage, he was a source of inspiration to his men, and contributed materially to the success of the action.