The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star to First Lieutenant (Infantry) Leo E. Thomas (ASN: 0-1306768), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with the 35th Infantry Division, in action in the ****, France, on 29 September 1944. As he moved through the **** ahead of his platoon, Lieutenant Thomas encountered a group of Germans who demanded his surrender. Lieutenant Thomas fired into the group, dropped to the ground, and ordered his platoon to deploy. Strong forces of the enemy opened fire, causing casualties among members of the platoon. Despite the grave personal danger, Lieutenant Thomas quickly organized his platoon into a skirmish line and closed with the enemy. Throughout the action he moved among his troops giving encouragement and directing their movement, despite the fact that he was subjected to aimed fire. The attack was so effective that more than twenty Germans were captured and the remainder killed. The gallantry, aggressive leadership, unswerving devotion to duty, and high order of personal bravery displayed by Lieutenant Thomas reflect the highest credit upon his character as an officer and leader of men.

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Second Lieutenant (Infantry) Leo E. Thomas (ASN: 0-1306768), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with the 35th Infantry Division, in action of ****, France, on 9 August 1944. Lieutenant Thomas was in command of a weapons platoon and Acting Executive Officer for Company L, *** Infantry Regiment, when it was surrounded by enemy forces and subjected to concentrations of enemy fire of all types. With complete disregard for personal safety, Lieutenant Thomas crossed a field under heavy enemy fire and established contact with a rifle platoon of his company, at the same time directing the fire of his own weapons platoon. He maintained liaison between the two platoons, enabling the company to consolidate its position and repulse the enemy counterattack. The intrepid courage, skillful leadership, and disregard for personal safety on the part of Lieutenant Thomas reflects great credit upon himself and is in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service.