Charles L. Thomas
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For 1865 Medal of Honor recipient, see Charles L. Thomas (Medal of Honor, 1865).
Charles Leroy Thomas (April 17, 1920 – February 15, 1980) was a United States Army major who was a company commander during World War II. In 1997, he was awarded the Medal of Honor, the nation's highest military decoration for valor, for his actions on December 14, 1944, near Climbach, France.[1]
Quick Facts Born, Died ...
Charles Leroy Thomas | |
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Born | (1920-04-17)April 17, 1920 Birmingham, Alabama, US |
Died | February 15, 1980(1980-02-15) (aged 59) Detroit, Michigan, US |
Place of burial | Westlawn Cemetery, Wayne, Michigan |
Allegiance | United States of America |
Service/ | United States Army |
Years of service | 1942–1947 |
Rank | Major |
Unit | C Company, 614th Tank Destroyer Battalion |
Battles/wars | World War II |
Awards | Medal of Honor Purple Heart |
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Thomas and six other Black Americans who served in World War II were awarded the Medal of Honor on January 12, 1997. The Medal of Honor was posthumously presented to Thomas by President Bill Clinton on January 13, 1997, during a Medals of Honor ceremony for the seven recipients at the White House in Washington, D.C. The seven recipients are the first and only Black Americans to be awarded the Medal of Honor for World War II.[2][3]