Congressional Medal of Honor Society

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World War II - U.S. Marine Corps Reserve

Clyde Aristide Thomason

Details
  • Rank: Sergeant
  • Conflict/Era: World War II
  • Unit/Command:
    Company A,
    2d Marine Raider Battalion
  • Military Service Branch: U.S. Marine Corps Reserve
  • Medal of Honor Action Date: August 17 - 18, 1942
  • Medal of Honor Action Place: Makin Island, Gilbert Islands
Citation
For conspicuous heroism and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty during the Marine Raider Expedition against the Japanese-held island of Makin on 17-18 August 1942. Leading the advance element of the assault echelon, Sgt. Thomason disposed his men with keen judgment and discrimination and, by his exemplary leadership and great personal valor, exhorted them to like fearless efforts. On one occasion, he dauntlessly walked up to a house which concealed an enemy Japanese sniper, forced in the door, and shot the man before he could resist. Later in the action, while leading an assault on an enemy position, he gallantly gave his life in the service of his country. His courage and loyal devotion to duty in the face of grave peril were in keeping with the finest traditions of the U.S. Naval Service.
Medal of Honor Recipient Clyde A. Thomason
Medal of Honor Recipient Clyde A. Thomason
Additional Details
  • Accredited to: Georgia
  • Awarded Posthumously: Yes
  • Presentation Date & Details: January 20, 1943
    Presented by Sec. of the Navy James Forrestal to stepmother, Mrs. Amy M. Thomason
  • Born: May 23, 1914, Atlanta, Fulton County, GA, United States
  • Died: August 18, 1942, Makin Island, Gilbert Islands
  • Buried: Arlington National Cemetery (MH) (60-8036), remains recovered 1999, burial Aug. 2001; National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific (Punchbowl)(Wall of the Missing) Honolulu, Hawaii, Arlington, VA, United States
 

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