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The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Sergeant Thomas Roberts Reath (MCSN: 83996), United States Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism while serving with the Forty-Third Company, Fifth Regiment (Marines), 2d Division, A.E.F., in action near Belleau Wood, France, 11 June 1918. During the advance of the Forty-Third Company of Marines, Sergeant Reath, with great coolness and devotion to duty, attacked an enemy machine-gun nest killing three of the enemy and capturing the two remaining members of the gun crew, thus enabling his company to continue the advance. This heroic deed was performed by Sergeant Reath under intense enemy machine-gun fire, and greatly inspired the members of his company.

Awards Received

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Marine Corps

    Rank:

    Sergeant

    Regiment:

    Fifth Regiment (Marines)

    Division:

    2d Division, American Expeditionary Forces

    Action Date:

    June 8, 1918
    GHQ, American Expeditionary Forces, Citation Orders No. 5 (June 3, 1919)

    By direction of the President, under the provisions of the act of Congress approved July 9, 1918 (Bul. No. 43, W.D., 1918), Sergeant Thomas R. Reath (MCSN: 83996/117368), United States Marine Corps, is cited (Posthumously) by the Commanding General, American Expeditionary Forces, for gallantry in action and a silver star may be placed upon the ribbon of the Victory Medals awarded him. Sergeant Reath distinguished himself by gallantry in action while serving with the 43d Company, 5th Regiment (Marines), 2d Division, American Expeditionary Forces, in action in the Bois de Belleau, France, 8 June 1918, in attempting to deliver an important message under a heavy barrage.

  • Navy Cross

    Service:

    United States Marine Corps

    Rank:

    Sergeant

    Regiment:

    Fifth Regiment (Marines)

    Division:

    2d Division, American Expeditionary Forces

    Action Date:

    June 12, 1918

    The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Navy Cross (Posthumously) to Sergeant Thomas R. Reath (MCSN: 83996), United States Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism while serving with the 43d Company, 5th Regiment (Marines), 2d Division, A.E.F. in action on 12 June 1918, in Belleau Woods, France. Sergeant Reath’s Company was under a heavy and devastating fire of artillery and machine guns. The Company Commander was endeavoring to send an important message to his Battalion Commander. Several messengers had been sent; none had returned, all having been killed or wounded in the endeavor to pass the intervening open ground. Knowing all this, Sergeant Reath volunteered to try to get the message through. In the performance of his duty he was killed.

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Marine Corps

    Rank:

    Sergeant

    Regiment:

    Fifth Regiment (Marines)

    Division:

    2d Division, American Expeditionary Forces

    Action Date:

    June 6 – July 10, 1918
    Citation Orders, 2d Division, American Expeditionary Forces

    By direction of the President, under the provisions of the act of Congress approved July 9, 1918 (Bul. No. 43, W.D. 1918), Sergeant Thomas R. Reath (MCSN: 83996/117368), United States Marine Corps, is cited (Posthumously) 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. Sergeant Reath distinguished himself while serving with the 43d Company, Fifth Regiment (Marines), 2d Division, American Expeditionary Forces at Chateau-Thierry, France, 6 June to 10 July 1918.