Posted on 07/10/2009 7:46:55 AM PDT by Shooter 2.5
Thomas’s Navy Cross citation states: “His deadly accuracy accounted for at least one enemy dead and held the aggressors at bay until an Army rescue helicopter landed.” It is assumed Thomas was given credit solely for the VC killed and witnessed at the rescue chopper. When a second Army rescue helicopter landed to retrieve the bodies of the dead co-pilot and gunner, the soldiers noted a plethora of VC dead all around the area. One was as close as three yards from Thomas’s shooting position, and the furthest was 150 yards. It was clear to those on the scene that many of these were killed with .45-caliber bullets. Thomas was the only combatant using a .45 pistol. LTC Mark Eberhard, USMCR, stated in an article for the American Marksman Group (www.americanmarksman.com) that there were 37 VC bodies at the scene.
Wow!
This deserves a return to the top.
Thanks GOD for our service members.
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