Clyde A. Thomason was born on 23 May 1914 in Atlanta, Georgia. He graduated from high school in the local area and enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps from that state in December 1934. During this enlistment, he served with the Marine Detachment on board USS Augusta and in China. Following his honorable discharge in 1939, he entered the Marine Corps Reserve. In January 1942, after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor brought the United States into World War II, Thomason reenlisted in the active Marines. Joining the Second Marine Raider Batallion, in April he deployed to the Pacific for combat duty.
Leading an assault echeon against the Japanese during the 17-18 raid on Makin Island, Thomason exhibited exemplary skill and courage before losing his life in the fighting. For his "conspicuous heroism and intrepidity" on this occasion, he was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor. Clyde A. Thomason's remains were recovered on Makin many decades later, and he was subsequently reinterred at Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Virginia.
USS Thomason (DE-203), 1943-1969, was named in honor of Sergeant Clyde A. Thomason.
This page features the only image we have concerning Clyde A. Thomason.
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Medal of Honor citation of Sergeant Clyde Thomason, USMCR (as printed in the official publication "Medal of Honor, 1861-1949, The Navy", page 268): |
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Page made 31 March 2009
Edited and reposted 17 September 2009