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-------------SECRETARY OF THE NAVY ----------------------------Washington, D. C. |
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The President of the United
States takes pride in presenting the NAVY
CROSS posthumously to
SECOND LIEUTENANT MICHAEL H. THOMAS
for service as set forth in the following CITATION: For extraordinary heroism while serving as a Platoon Commander with Company I, Third Battalion, Twenty-Sixth Marines, Third Marine Division (Reinforced), in connection with operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam on 20 January 1968. While leading his men in a coordinated attack with an adjacent platoon along a parallel ridge line in the vicinity of Hill 881 South, Lieutenant Thomas' platoon was taken under intense enemy automatic weapons fire from an estimated battalion-sized enemy force. The hostile fire wounded several Marines. As a medical evacuation helicopter endeavored to land to extract the wounded, it was taken under intense enemy machine-gun fire and crashed. Quickly assessing the situation, Lieutenant Thomas organized a rescue team and accompanied his men to the crash site to supervise rescue oper- ations. Learning that the adjacent platoon was pinned down by enemy fire and that the platoon commander and others were wounded, he maneuvered his unit through the intense enemy fire across 500 meters of open terrain to reinforce the beleaguered platoon. Consolidating his force, he repeatedly exposed himself to enemy fire as he moved from one position to another encouraging and directing his men' fire. Discovering that eight men were missing, he organized and per- sonally led a search party into the fire swept area, successfully locating five of the wounded and moved them to positions of relative safety. Although woun- ded as he was carrying a sixth Marine to safety, he refused medical assistance and elected to continue his rescue efforts. Despite his painful wound and near exhaustion, he again moved into the hazardous area in an attempt to rescue the two remaining casualties who were lying in a dangerously exposed area, when he was mortally wounded. By his bold initiative, gallant fighting spirit and loyal devotion to duty, Lieutenant Thomas was instrumental in saving several Marines from further injury or possible death, thereby reflecting great credit upon himself and the Marine Corps and upholding the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country. For the President, /S/ Paul R. Ignatius Secretary of the Navy |
The Incident
Prelude to the Siege of
Khe Sanh
Cpl. Edward Richardson Visits the Vietnam Memorial
MICHAEL HOWARD THOMAS
2LT - O1 - Marine Corps - Reserve
25 year old Single, Caucasian, Male
Born on Jan 06, 1943
From PAWNEE, OKLAHOMA
Length of service 2 years.
His tour of duty began on Oct. 06, 1967
Casualty was on Jan 20, 1968
in QUANG TRI, SOUTH VIETNAM
HOSTILE, GROUND CASUALTY
GUN, SMALL ARMS FIRE
Body was recovered
Religion
PROTESTANT
Panel 34E - - Line 92
Comments
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From left, 2ndLt. M. H. Thomas and 2ndLt. A. J. Brooks
Quantico, Virginia - Summer 1967 on their graduation from Marine
OCS
Photo by, Arthur J. Brooks
Arthur J. Brooks
Marine Corps OCS Classmates
To My Marine Corps Buddy Mike
Thomas
Dear Mike After our OCS training,
we had great fun in Las Vegas with Charlie Yagoobian, Ken Black and George
Chaconas, all brown bar 2nd LTs headed for Vietnam 10/67. You and
I parted in San Francisco. Ken George and I went to Okinawa for two days
before Vietnam assignment. In country, I was sent to 1st Force Recon,
got wounded on my first patrol into N. Vietnam, and was Medevaced. Only
good thing about it was later credit for discovery of the base camp staging
area on the Ho Chi Minh trail where the "Christmas Offensive" was to be
launched in November so the NVA could demoralize America by sending body
bags home for Xmas and New Years. Saturation bombing
caused them to delay until Jan '68 and rename the offensive "TET" after
the lunar new year - a fact not well known. Charlie was killed his
first week in-country. I read you were killed in Stars & Stripes
while I was in the hospital. I heard from Ken who was nearby your
position and learned about you at the scene. I prayed for all that
was left of our OCS group of 5. Ken and George both completed their
tours with decorations, but none was close to the Navy Cross which you
earned for your heroism. I have done my best to contact your parents
in P Pawnee and your brother Steve who became a successful business
and family man despite your concerns in the early 60s. I sent Steve
a unique memorial plaque honoring
you and a picture of us in dress whites in the garden at OCS, Summer 1967.
I also played the critical role for the Vietnam
Veterans' Memorial fundraising in 1980 which made it a reality in 1981.
Back in 1970 I called your parents and wrote the girl in Washington DC
you liked so much. All this because I admired you and was inspired
by your great friendship at a time in OCS when we could have been grim
or depressed. Yet we all gave each other the spirit of leadership
to do our job. I know there is a place in heaven for a reunion of
our group of 5 from TBS and OCS '67 with a river of beer to swim in and
extra mugs for the many whom you touched from inside in all walks of your
life. All of us have known different, fond dimensions of your character
which are vivid today and forever until we meet again. I have two girls
and a boy. My son is Michael Sparks Brooks, named after you and Willard
Sparks Cannon (my brother-in-law, also lost in Nam '69). He is an
outstanding young man who keeps you in my thoughts. In youth he was
" Sparky," but he wants to be Mike Brooks as an adult, like going forward
at 23 where you left off without him knowing it.
Friday, August 18, 2000
Michael Mahone
Fellow Marine
Chicago, IL 60605 USA
I remember, I was there.
I was a member of the 3rd Battalion, 26th Marines,
India Co. I was a 20 year old Corporal on the day my Platoon leader, Lt.
Mike Thomas was killed. I have thought about him often since
I came home in 1968. I remember Lt. Thomas as a down to earth, caring
Marine Officer. I remember the day he died. Ours was the reserve
platoon. I didn't care much for the M-16, so I traded it to Lt. Thomas
for his shotgun and .45. A few minutes later he was dead. I
don't know why I recall this all the time when I've forgotten so many other
things. I will always remember Lt. Mike Thomas a good Leader and
person.
Thursday, May 25, 2000
Scott Mitchell
College Roommate
Arlington,VA 22202 USA
In Memory of Mike Boy
Mike Thomas and I roomed together for three years at
the University of Oklahoma. In the Sigma Chi Fraternity we all called
him Mike Boy. He was one great guy and all the remarks made by his
boyhood friend Larry McQuarie are the way I remember him as well.
Mike Boy and I graduated together on January 24th 1966. That afternoon
as we sat in our room, he asked me what I was going to do although he knew
the answer; I was going to become a naval aviator. It had always
been my goal. Mike Boy asked if I thought I would get into the war
and I assured him that would happen if I had my way. Mike Boy then
replied, "Well if there is a fight going on, I guess I ought to be in it!"
The next day I left for Pensacola and flight training and he went to Oklahoma
City and signed up for Marine OCS. When word of Mike Boy's death
came to my wife, she would not tell me for several days. I had just
returned from my first combat cruise with VA-163 on the Oriskany.
We had departed Yankee Station three days before the Khe Son battle broke
out. he died in the very first engagement of that famous battle.
Mike Boy personified all that is good and brave in the American soul.
He was fearless and did his duty under fire. We miss ya Mike Boy!
Joe Bob,
Theriot, Saul and I have all been down to visit your
spirit at the Wall. Even Bucko's son asked to go down there with
me several years ago.
We have not forgotten and will never forget our old
pal.
Tuesday, August 31, 1999
Larry McQuarie
Boyhood Friend
Parsons, KS 67357 USA
Mike was a very dear friend. He represented the
brother that I never had. At least to me he did. We played
basketball together. We camped together. We played football
together. We fought together. Mike and I even fought with each other.
The only thing this did was to bring us closer. Mike one the first
and I won the second. There was never a third. I am now 56
years of age and have missed my friend very much. I think about him
often. Thanks Mike for being a patriot. However, being selfish,
I wish you were still with us. I have had some very lonely feelings
knowing that I would not see you again in this life. May God Bless
and Keep You Forever.
Tuesday, August 10, 1999
Steve Thomas
Brother
Arlington, TX 76016 USA
My apologies to Mike and his friends, who care enough
to post their thoughts on this and other web sites. The tardiness
of this posting is because of a number of reasons, none of which seem worthy
of mentioning here. Mike was one of those few people who walked through
this world and left large footprints. He touched so many people in
his few years. He joined the Marine Corps on this own accord, because
there was a job to be done. He told our father, that someone had
to do it, so it might as well be him. MIKE HAD PURPOSE IN HIS LIFE!
Art Brooks, Jeff Sprague, Michael Mahone, Larry McQuarie, Scott Mitchell,
Bruce Armspacher and so many others, thank you from our hearts for remembering
Mike. You knew him as a comrade in arms, or a school mate and as
a friend. I know him as the strongest influence in my life.
FORGET HIM, HELL, HE HAS NEVER LEFT ME. God Bless
Each of You.
Friday, June 08, 2001
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