William H. Thomas (Medal of Honor)

A mortally wounded rifleman sustained the attack on Luzon

William H. Thomas was a private first class in Company B, 149th Infantry, 38th Infantry Division. In the Zambales Mountains of Luzon on April 22, 1945, his squad advanced along a narrow ridge under heavy fire. An enemy explosive charge caused catastrophic wounds to both his legs, but he continued firing his automatic rifle.

When the weapon was disabled, Thomas threw his remaining grenades. His resistance helped the platoon capture the enemy position before he died later that day. Born in Wynne, Arkansas, on January 13, 1923, he received a posthumous Medal of Honor and was buried at Manila American Cemetery.

Medal of Honor citation

He was a member of the leading squad of Company B, which was attacking along a narrow, wooded ridge. The enemy, strongly entrenched in camouflaged emplacements on the hill beyond, directed heavy fire and hurled explosive charges on the attacking riflemen. Pfc. Thomas, an automatic rifleman, was struck by one of these charges, which blew off both his legs below the knees. He refused medical aid and evacuation, and continued to fire at the enemy until his weapon was put out of action by an enemy bullet. Still refusing aid, he threw his last two grenades. He destroyed three of the enemy after suffering the wounds from which he died later that day. The effective fire of Pfc. Thomas prevented the repulse of his platoon and assured the capture of the hostile position. His magnificent courage and heroic devotion to duty provided a lasting inspiration for his comrades.