Thomas, Charles Leroy
1920-1980 · Contribution: 1944-1997
Military & Safety
Received the Medal of Honor posthumously in 1997 for volunteering to ride in the lead vehicle of an assault on Climbach, France, in December 1944, drawing enemy fire onto himself and directing his platoon's counterattack despite severe wounds — one of seven Black WWII veterans honored after a 1990s Army study confirmed racial discrimination had denied Black soldiers fair Medal of Honor consideration
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Quick facts
- Born
- 1920-1980
- Category
- Military & Safety
Impact on the world
Thomas deliberately drew enemy fire to protect his men and held command despite grievous wounds, leading one of the first Black units to earn a unit citation.
Sources
- National Museum of the United States Army
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