b. 23/05/1914 Atlanta, Georgia. d. 18/08/1942 Makin Island, Gilbert Islands.
DATE OF MOH ACTION: 17-18/08/1942 Makin Island, Gilbert Islands.
Clyde A Thomason MOH
Thomason was born in Atlanta, Georgia, on May 23, 1914. After graduating high school he traveled widely throughout the United States with his companions.
In December 1934 he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in Savannah, Georgia. Although he was named for his father, at the time of his enlistment he dropped the “A” of his father’s name and became known in the Marine Corps simply as Clyde Thomason. This was the name under which he enlisted in 1934 and was the name subsequently used in official Marine Corps records. He later served in the Marine detachment of the USS Augusta, Flagship of the Asiatic Fleet, and was honorably discharged in 1939 upon the expiration of his enlistment.
The day following his discharge, he was retained in the Fleet Marine Force Reserve. When he again became a civilian, he accepted a position with the Albany, Georgia, branch of the Fire Companies Adjustment Bureau, Inc., in February 1940.
Thomason re-enlisted in the Marine Corps Reserve in January 1942 following the attack on Pearl Harbor. He asked for action, and when Lieutenant Colonel Evans Carlson was organizing his famous Raiders, Thomason volunteered.
Because he was so tall, 6 feet 4 inches (1.93 m), and weighed 190 pounds (86 kg); he had to ask for a height waiver to get into the Raiders. He received his training in California before going to the Pacific battlefields in April for duty with the 2nd Raider Battalion.
Letters that he wrote to friends in Albany, Georgia during the time of his service in the Pacific show that he wanted to be “where things are happening.” He refused to accept assignments which would keep him away from action. He wrote of Carlson and of Major James Roosevelt, second in command.
During the raid on Makin Island, Carlson selected Thomason to lead the advance element against the Japanese garrison. Thomason was one of 30 Marines who did not return from the Makin Island raid. In November 1999, researchers discovered a mass grave on Makin Island that contained human remains, equipment, and dog tags belonging to Marine Raiders. Thomason’s remains were among those identified. His remains were returned to the United States and were interred at Arlington National Cemetery on August 17, 2001.
The Medal of Honor was conferred posthumously and was presented to his stepmother by Under-Secretary of the Navy James Forrestal at ceremonies in January 1943 in Washington, D.C.
MOH 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.
BURIAL LOCATION: ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY, ARLINGTON, VIRGINIA.
SECTION 60, GRAVE 8037.
LOCATION OF MEDAL: FAMILY.
