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By direction of the President, under the provisions of the act of Congress approved July 9, 1918 (Bul. No. 43, W.D. 1918), Gunnery Sergeant Thomas C. Bruce (MCSN: 157341), United States Marine Corps, is cited by the Commanding General, SECOND DIVISION, American Expeditionary Forces, for gallantry in action and a silver star may be placed upon the ribbon of the Victory Medals awarded him. Gunnery Sergeant Bruce distinguished himself while serving with the 55th Company, Fifth Regiment (Marines), 2d Division, American Expeditionary Forces at Blanc Mont, France, 1 to 10 October 1918.

Awards Received

  • Navy Cross

    Service:

    United States Marine Corps

    Rank:

    First Sergeant

    Regiment:

    5th Marine Regiment, 2d Marine Brigade (Nicaragua)

    Action Date:

    July 16, 1927
    Authority – USMC CommuniquŽ: 157341 (21 December 1927)

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to First Sergeant Thomas C. Bruce (MCSN: 157341), United States Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism, coolness and excellent judgment in performance of duty on the occasion of an attack by a vastly superior force on the Marine detachment of which he was a member at Ocotal, Nicaragua, on 16 July 1927, curing the progress of an insurrection in that country. At the beginning of the engagement First Sergeant Bruce placed a Lewis gun in a street swept by machine gun fire and returned the fire until the enemy gun was silenced. Repeatedly during the engagement Sergeant Bruce displayed that high type of courage which characterizes conduct above and beyond the call of duty, and his actions greatly contributed to the success of the small detachment in holding out against the heaviest odds.