General Orders 1946 - Fort Benning

Captain 3%-ndericb F. Thomas, 0316C€tl, Cavalry, Army of the United Statcs.
distinguished himself by gallantry in action on Luzon. Philinnine Islands, while
~ - . assigned to the 13th Infantry, Philippine Army. At Urdanetta, in December
1941, he displayed remarkable courage lending his battalion in the defense uf
the a~~proaches of the tactically important Carmen bridge. When his nntrained
troops disintegrated before vastiy superior forces, he saved the remnants of his
command by swimming across the treacherous Agna River. Again at Betis,
Pampanga on 4 Jarnmry 1942, Captain Thomas mas able, by outstanding leadership
and gallantry, to cxtricale ihe remnants of his personnel after his position
lind been overrun by enemy tanks.
2. By direction of the President, under the provi~ion~ of the act of Congress
anwroved 9 July 1915 (WD Bul. 43. 1015. a Siiver Star for - enllantrv in action
was awarded wsthnmously by the Commander in Chief, United Statcs Army
Forms, Pacific, tn the foiiowinp-named enlisted man:
Private Wdliom 34. ~cnnessi (Army serial No. 201100718) Company C, l%th
Tank Enttaiion, Infantry, Army of thc United States, displayed outstanding
. ~allalltr~ - ncar Barrio Piis. . Tambas. . Lnzon. Plrilionine .- Islands. ou 25 December
1041. When n half-track, uf which he was one of tho crew, was ambushed n:ld
subjected to the intense lire of three Japanese machine guns at point-blank range,
he assisted heroically in rcpciling the attack, thus ensuring the maintenance of
contact brtweeu elements of two Philippine Divisions. Private Hennessfi's con.
duct rcflects grcat crerlit upon himself and the combat soldiers with whom he
nerved.
IV--SILVER STAR-1. By direction of thc President, under the pu~isions of
the act of Congress approved 9 July 1918 (TI) Bull. 43,1918), a Siiver Star fur galinntrg
in action was awarded by the War Department to the following-nnmerl
ofliccr :
Second Lieutenant Vernon C. Clark, United States Marine Corps Reserve
displayed gallantry in action whiic commanding a pintoan of Company A, 1st
Battalion, 1st Marine Parnchnte Regiment, on 28 December lCJ4d, at Raugainnille,
nritiih Solnmon Islands. When his leadine assault nlntoon was hit bn fierce
enemy fire following a strenuous march thronxh ddesc swamp and jungle, he
fearlessly exposed bimsclf, lcd his men in n daring attack, and gersonaliy destroyed
the occnpants rrf two enemy emplacements. Because of Lieutenant Clark's heroic
exarnple. the platoon scized its ohjrctive and contributed greatly to the sneeessfnl
accompiishrnent of the comgans's mission.
2. By direction of the President, under the provisions of the act of Conzress
approved 9 July 1918 (WD Bul. 43, UlB), a Siivcr Star for gallantry in action
was awarded by General J. M. Wainwright, United States Army, to the follawingnamed
officer and enlisted men:
Corpornl William 8. As7~ (Army serial No. 18053#M) (then m-ivate first class).
Coast Artillery Corps, Army of the United States, on 6 May 1812, during a heavy
enemy artillery and ncrial bumbnrdment, disging~d gallantry in action on
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Corre~idor, Philippine Islands. As he was running a shot truck forward loaded
with a sensitive fused projectile, he was severcly wounded, but with errat
couragc and presenec of mind he successfully brought the vehicle to n halt, thus
insuring that the runaway truck did not detonate the sensitive fuse. Corporal
Ask's heroic determimalion and fortitude reflect great credit on himself and the
military service.
Lieutenant Commander Malcolm XcG. ChemnXn, United States Xnn1 R?s:~-m.
as Naval Aide to the Commanding General, Unitcd States Army Forces in the
AGO B o a