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FReeper Canteen ~ Hall of Heroes: Charles Leroy Thomas ~ July 28, 2014
Serving The Best Troops & Veterans In The World !!
| StarCMC
Posted on 07/27/2014 5:00:37 PM PDT by Kathy in Alaska
Our Troops Rock! Thank you for all you do! |
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For the freedom you enjoyed yesterday... Thank the Veterans who served in The United States Armed Forces. |
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~ Hall of Heroes ~ Charles Leroy Thomas Story from this website. |
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Major Charles Leroy Thomas (April 17, 1920-February 15, 1980) was a United States Army officer who was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for his actions while a company commander during the capture of Climbach, France in 1944 — the second African American to be awarded one during World War II. This award was upgraded to the Medal of Honor and awarded posthumously in 1997. |
Prior to the war he had worked as a molder for the Ford Motor Company, and was a student at Wayne State University when he joined the Army in January 1942. He was assigned to the 614th, and sent to Officer Candidate School; he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in March 1943 and returned to his battalion, deploying with it to England and then to North-Western Europe.
On December 14, 1944, Thomas led a task force storming Climbach, consisting of a platoon from the 756th Tank Battalion and a reinforced company of the 411th Infantry Regiment, 103rd Infantry Division, led by a platoon of his tank destroyers. Approaching Climbach, Thomas' armored scout car was knocked out by enemy fire and he was wounded.
The lieutenant helped his crew out of the vehicle, but as he left the car's protection, he was again wounded in the chest, legs and arms. Despite his wounds, Thomas directed the dispersal and emplacement of the anti-tank guns, which then returned fire and covered the attempt by the rest of the task force to outflank the defenders. He briefed one of his platoon leaders, a junior lieutenant, on the general situation, and only when he was sure the situation was under control did he allow himself to be evacuated. The platoon continued to fight for four hours, losing two of its four guns and half its men as casualties (3 dead, 17 wounded).
The strong performance of the platoon ensured the capture of the town and forced the defenders to withdraw to the Siegfried Line; the unit was awarded a Distinguished Unit Citation (the first black combat unit, and the first unit attached to the 103rd Division, to be so honored) and its men received four Silver Stars and nine Bronze Stars. Thomas himself was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for his part in the engagement, and returned home a hero, though he played down his role - "I know I was sent out to locate and draw the enemy fire, but I didn't mean to draw that much."
Thomas remained in the Army, and retired with the rank of Major. In the 1990s, following a study which indicated severe racial discrimination in the process of awarding medals during the war, it was recommended that seven Distinguished Service Crosses be upgraded to Medals of Honor, and Thomas was awarded the Medal of Honor posthumously on January 13, 1997.
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Thomas' Medal of Honor citation reads:
For extraordinary heroism in action on December 14, 1944, near Climbach, France. While riding in the lead vehicle of a task force organized to storm and capture the village of Climbach, France, then First Lieutenant Thomas's armored scout car was subjected to intense enemy artillery, self-propelled gun, and small arms fire. Although wounded by the initial burst of hostile fire, Lieutenant Thomas signalled the remainder of the column to halt and, despite the severity of his wounds, assisted the crew of the wrecked car in dismounting. Upon leaving the scant protection which the vehicle afforded, Lieutenant Thomas was again subjected to a hail of enemy fire which inflicted multiple gunshot wounds in his chest, legs, and left arm. Despite the intense pain caused by these wounds, Lieutenant Thomas ordered and directed the dispersion and emplacement of two antitank guns which in a few moments were promptly and effectively returning the enemy fire. Realizing that he could no longer remain in command of the platoon, he signalled to the platoon commander to join him. Lieutenant Thomas then thoroughly oriented him on enemy gun dispositions and the general situation. Only after he was certain that his junior officer was in full control of the situation did he permit himself to be evacuated. First Lieutenant Thomas' outstanding heroism were an inspiration to his men and exemplify the highest traditions of the Armed Forces.
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Please remember the Canteen is here to honor, support and entertain our troops and their families. This is a politics-free zone! Thanks for helping us in our mission!
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TOPICS: Culture/Society; Extended News; Free Republic
KEYWORDS: canteen; heroes; military; troopsupport
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To: Kathy in Alaska
"Riamh nár dhruid ó sbairn lann!"
Genuflectimus non ad principem sed ad Principem Pacis!
Listen, O isles, unto me; and hearken, ye people, from far; The LORD hath called me from the womb; from the bowels of my mother hath he made mention of my name. (Isaiah 49:1 KJV)
2
posted on
07/27/2014 5:01:01 PM PDT
by
ConorMacNessa
(HM/2 USN, 3/5 Marines RVN 1969 - St. Michael the Archangel, defend us in Battle!)
To: ConorMacNessa; The Mayor; SandRat; BIGLOOK; mountainlion; HiJinx; Publius; Jet Jaguar; TMSuchman; ..
3
posted on
07/27/2014 5:09:14 PM PDT
by
Kathy in Alaska
((~RIP Brian...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~))
To: Kathy in Alaska
4
posted on
07/27/2014 5:13:37 PM PDT
by
mountainlion
(Live well for those that did not make it back.)
To: All
5
posted on
07/27/2014 5:13:42 PM PDT
by
Kathy in Alaska
((~RIP Brian...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~))
To: All
6
posted on
07/27/2014 5:16:44 PM PDT
by
Kathy in Alaska
((~RIP Brian...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~))
To: Kathy in Alaska
Hi Kathy, am I late? I guess so your here with the new thread.
Hope you had a good day, I watched movies one of which was Eli.
To: Kathy in Alaska
hi everybody!
((((HUGS))))
8
posted on
07/27/2014 5:30:23 PM PDT
by
left that other site
(You shall know the Truth, and The Truth Shall Set You Free.)
To: Kathy in Alaska; StarCMC; All
To: StarCMC; MoJo2001; 007; 1 FELLOW FREEPER; 11B3; 1FreeAmerican; 1stbn27; 2111USMC; 2LT Radix jr; ...
Please note: The author of the Hall of Heroes is StarCMC. Please thank StarCMC for todays thread.
~ Hall of Heroes: Charles Leroy Thomas ~
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10
posted on
07/27/2014 5:38:24 PM PDT
by
Kathy in Alaska
((~RIP Brian...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~))
To: Kathy in Alaska
Valiant Warrior.
11
posted on
07/27/2014 5:41:38 PM PDT
by
SandRat
(Duty - Honor - Country! What else needs said?)
To: Kathy in Alaska; laurenmarlowe; BIGLOOK; alfa6; EsmeraldaA; SandRat; mylife; TMSuchman; PROCON; ...
REST IN PEACE, FALLEN BROTHER! And Welcome Home after 71 Long Years!
PFC RANDOLPH ALLEN, USMC 3rd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment 2nd Marine Division KIA Betio Island, Tarawa Atoll, 20 November 1943
Pfc. Allen Will Be Laid To Rest In The Hallowed Grounds Of Arlington National Cemetery Monday, 29 July 2014.
"Eternal Father, Strong to Save" U.S. Marine Band & Choir (Click)
Taps (Click)
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"Riamh nár dhruid ó sbairn lann!"
Genuflectimus non ad principem sed ad Principem Pacis!
Listen, O isles, unto me; and hearken, ye people, from far; The LORD hath called me from the womb; from the bowels of my mother hath he made mention of my name. (Isaiah 49:1 KJV)
12
posted on
07/27/2014 5:56:51 PM PDT
by
ConorMacNessa
(HM/2 USN, 3/5 Marines RVN 1969 - St. Michael the Archangel, defend us in Battle!)
To: Kathy in Alaska; laurenmarlowe; BIGLOOK; alfa6; EsmeraldaA; SandRat; mylife; TMSuchman; PROCON; ...
Genuflectimus non ad principem sed ad Principem Pacis!
Listen, O isles, unto me; and hearken, ye people, from far; The LORD hath called me from the womb; from the bowels of my mother hath he made mention of my name. (Isaiah 49:1 KJV)
13
posted on
07/27/2014 6:00:22 PM PDT
by
ConorMacNessa
(HM/2 USN, 3/5 Marines RVN 1969 - St. Michael the Archangel, defend us in Battle!)
To: Kathy in Alaska; LUV W; MEG33
14
posted on
07/27/2014 6:02:54 PM PDT
by
SandRat
(Duty - Honor - Country! What else needs said?)
To: Kathy in Alaska; laurenmarlowe; BIGLOOK; alfa6; EsmeraldaA; SandRat; mylife; TMSuchman; PROCON; ...
Genuflectimus non ad principem sed ad Principem Pacis!
Listen, O isles, unto me; and hearken, ye people, from far; The LORD hath called me from the womb; from the bowels of my mother hath he made mention of my name. (Isaiah 49:1 KJV)
15
posted on
07/27/2014 6:03:49 PM PDT
by
ConorMacNessa
(HM/2 USN, 3/5 Marines RVN 1969 - St. Michael the Archangel, defend us in Battle!)
To: ConorMacNessa
Good evening, Mac...*HUGS*...did you have a good day? A little dirt? Good company? BBQ?
Today was Mom time and the computer. And I had to hang a bird bell and put up a new suet thingy.
16
posted on
07/27/2014 6:05:24 PM PDT
by
Kathy in Alaska
((~RIP Brian...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~))
To: mountainlion
Good evening, mountainlion...he was truly an inspiration to his men.
Hope you are having a nice summer.
17
posted on
07/27/2014 6:08:13 PM PDT
by
Kathy in Alaska
((~RIP Brian...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~))
To: Kathy in Alaska
Freep mail me to be on or off the Daily Bread ping list
Courageous And Consistent
July 28, 2014
Read: Acts 28:11-16,30-31
While reading the obituary of Eugene Patterson, Pulitzer Prize-winning editor of the Atlanta Constitution from 1960 to 1968, I was struck by two things. First, for many years Patterson was a fearless voice for civil rights during a time when many opposed racial equality. In addition, he wrote a column every day for 8 years. Thats 2,922 newspaper columns! Day after day, year after year. Courage and consistency were key factors in the impact of his life.
We see those same qualities in the apostle Paul. Acts 1328 records his bravery in one harrowing situation after another. After being shipwrecked on his way to stand trial before Caesar, he landed south of Rome, where many brothers in Christ came to meet him (Acts 28:11-15). When Paul saw them, Luke wrote, he thanked God and took courage (v.15). During the next 2 years as a prisoner, Paul was allowed to live in his own rented house where he received all who came to him, preaching the kingdom of God and teaching the things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ with all confidence (vv.30-31).
Every follower of Jesus can be a consistent giver and receiver of courage. The Lord can use us today to encourage and strengthen each other.
O keep up your courage, each day to the end;
Go forth in the strength of the Lord;
Trust wholly in Jesus, thy Savior and Friend,
And feed on His own blessed Word. Miles
When people share their fears with you, share your courage with them.
Todays passage chronicles one of Pauls journeys and how he and his companions were received and shown hospitality. It is easy to forget that this was not a luxury cruise with an exotic island destination. During this trip, Paul was a prisoner and he and his companions (soldiers included) were met by and stayed with Christian believers. It is possible that Paul was allowed to live in his own rented home under house arrest and share the gospel (vv.30-31) because the soldiers were impressed by the hospitality that had been shown to them.
18
posted on
07/27/2014 6:18:15 PM PDT
by
The Mayor
(Honesty means never having to look over your shoulder.)
To: Kathy in Alaska
Good Evening, Kathy!
*HUGS*
A good day, thanks! I went down into the basement and did some major cleanup and reorganizing. Then out into the Back Garden to string up the Tomatoes.
All that pretty well sapped my strength - had enough left to broil a pair of Pacific Salmon - an excellent repast!
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America demands Justice for the Fallen of Benghazi! |
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O stranger, tell the Lacedaemonians that we lie here, obedient to their command.
Listen, O isles, unto me; and hearken, ye people, from far; The LORD hath called me from the womb; from the bowels of my mother hath he made mention of my name. (Isaiah 49:1 KJV)
19
posted on
07/27/2014 6:20:29 PM PDT
by
ConorMacNessa
(HM/2 USN, 3/5 Marines RVN 1969 - St. Michael the Archangel, defend us in Battle!)
To: SandRat
Oh dear! We’re all doooooooomed!
20
posted on
07/27/2014 6:22:48 PM PDT
by
luvie
(All my heroes wear camos! Thank you David, Michael, Chris Txradioguy, JJ, CMS, & ALL Vets, too!l)
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