The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Second Lieutenant Fred Thomas (MCSN: 0-1833), United States Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism while serving with the Sixteenth Company, Fifth Regiment (Marines), 2d Division, A.E.F., in action near Chateau-Thierry, France, 25 June 1918. Second Lieutenant Thomas commanded the left flank platoon of his company, which was subjected to heavy fire from enemy machine-guns and trench mortars. When further advance in the face of the fire became impossible, he went forward alone, located the machine-gun positions, and then organized a flank attack on the emplacements, putting out of action four guns, one of which he himself captured. In this exploit his command suffered 40 per cent casualties and captured twenty-one prisoners. Reforming the remnants of his platoon, he moved forward through the enemy’s barrage and to his objective, which he consolidated and held in the face of three counterattacks in five hours.
Sponsored by:
Awards Received
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Distinguished Service Cross
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Silver Star
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Silver Star
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Silver Star
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Navy Distinguished Service Medal
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Silver Star
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Distinguished Service Cross
Service:
United States Marine CorpsRank:
Second LieutenantRegiment:
Fifth Regiment (Marines)Division:
2d Division, American Expeditionary ForcesAction Date:
October 4, 1918
War Department, General Orders No. 44 (1919)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 Distinguished Service Cross to Second Lieutenant Fred Thomas (MCSN: 0-1833), United States Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism while serving with the Sixteenth Company, Fifth Regiment (Marines), 2d Division, A.E.F., in action near St. Etienne, France, 4 October 1918. While endeavoring to re-establish a large company front, which had become disconnected, Second Lieutenant Thomas encountered a large number of the enemy filtering through our lines. By strategic maneuvers he formed a strong resistance, causing heavy casualties on the enemy and forcing their retreat, after he himself had been seriously wounded.
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Silver Star
Service:
United States Marine CorpsRank:
Second LieutenantRegiment:
Fifth Regiment (Marines)Division:
2d Division, American Expeditionary ForcesAction Date:
June 6 – July 10, 1918
Citation Orders, 2d Division, American Expeditionary ForcesBy direction of the President, under the provisions of the act of Congress approved July 9, 1918 (Bul. No. 43, W.D., 1918) Second Lieutenant Fred Thomas (MCSN: 0-1833), 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. Second Lieutenant Thomas distinguished himself while serving with the Fifth Regiment (Marines), 2d Division, American Expeditionary Forces at Chateau-Thierry, France, 6 June to 10 July 1918. (THIRD Citation)
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Silver Star
Service:
United States Marine CorpsRank:
Second LieutenantRegiment:
Fifth Regiment (Marines)Division:
2d Division, American Expeditionary ForcesAction Date:
June 6 – July 10, 1918
Citation Orders, 2d Division, American Expeditionary ForcesBy direction of the President, under the provisions of the act of Congress approved July 9, 1918 (Bul. No. 43, W.D., 1918) Second Lieutenant Fred Thomas (MCSN: 0-1833), 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. Second Lieutenant Thomas distinguished himself while serving with the Fifth Regiment (Marines), 2d Division, American Expeditionary Forces at Chateau-Thierry, France, 6 June to 10 July 1918. (SECOND Citation)
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Silver Star
Service:
United States Marine CorpsRank:
Second LieutenantRegiment:
Fifth Regiment (Marines)Division:
2d Division, American Expeditionary ForcesAction Date:
September 30 – November 11, 1918
Citation Orders, 2d Division, American Expeditionary ForcesBy direction of the President, under the provisions of the act of Congress approved July 9, 1918 (Bul. No. 43, W.D., 1918) Second Lieutenant Fred Thomas (MCSN: 0-1833), 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. Second Lieutenant Thomas distinguished himself while serving with the Fifth Regiment (Marines), 2d Division, American Expeditionary Forces during the Meuse-Argonne Offensive, France, 30 September – 11 November 1918. (FOURTH Citation)
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Navy Distinguished Service Medal
Service:
United States Marine CorpsRank:
Second LieutenantAction Date:
October 2, 1918
Authority: Navy Book of Distinguished Service (Stringer)The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Distinguished Service Medal to Second Lieutenant Fred Thomas (MCSN: 0-1833), United States Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism in action near St. Etienne, France, on 2 October 1918. While endeavoring to establish a large company front which had become disconnected, Lieutenant Thomas encountered a large number of the enemy filtering through our lines. By strategic maneuvers he formed a strong resistance causing heavy casualties on the enemy and forcing their retreat after he himself had been seriously wounded.
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Silver Star
Service:
United States Marine CorpsRank:
Second LieutenantRegiment:
Fifth Regiment (Marines)Division:
2d Division, American Expeditionary ForcesAction Date:
October 2 – 9, 1918
Citation Orders, 2d Division, American Expeditionary ForcesBy direction of the President, under the provisions of the act of Congress approved July 9, 1918 (Bul. No. 43, W.D., 1918) Second Lieutenant Fred Thomas (MCSN: 0-1833), 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. Second Lieutenant Thomas distinguished himself while serving with the Fifth Regiment (Marines), 2d Division, American Expeditionary Forces at St. Etienne, France, 2 – 9 October 1918.