Thomas, William Dow

Date of birth:: April 4th, 1904 (Wilkes-Barre/Pennsylvania, United States)
Date of death:: 1968
Nationality:: American (1776 - present, Republic)

Biography

Promotions:
1925: Midshipman;
1928: Ensign;
1930: Lieutenant Junior Grade;
1932: Lieutenant;
1942: Lieutenant Commander;
1943: Commander;
1944: Captain;
?: Commodore;
1947: Rear Admiral.

Career:
1925 - 1928: U.S. Naval academy, Annapolis;
1928 - 1930: U.S.S. West Virginia (BB-48);
1039 - 1931: Submarine School (diesel);
1932 - 1935: Submarine Service;
1942 - 1943: U.S.S. Claxton (DD-571);
July 29th, 1943 - August 1944: Commanding Officer U.S.S. Hoel (DD-533);
August 1944: Screen Commander Task Unit 77.4.3;
1945 - 1947: Commanding Officer Naval Air Station St. Simons Island;
1947: Retirement;
1947 - 1968: Vice Persident, Dean of Man Cogswell College.

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Navy Cross

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Commander
Unit:: Detroyer and Destroyer Escorts, Escort Carrier Task Unit 77.4.3 (TaffyIII) (Detroyer and Destroyer Escorts, Escort Carrier Task Unit 77.4.3 (TaffyIII))

Citation:
"For extraordinary heroism as Screen Commander of Destroyer and Destroyer Escorts screening an Escort Carrier Task Unit, during action against major units of the enemy Japanese Fleet, in the Battle off Samar Island, Philippine Islands, on 25 October 1944. When a formidable column of Japanese battleships, cruisers and destroyers attacked our small Task Unit of Escort Carriers, Captain (then Commander) Thomas closed on the hostile disposition, deploying his small force between the enemy and the lightly armed and armored carriers and brought his light caliber guns to bear upon the rapidly advancing hostile Fleet units. By a skillfully organized torpedo attack, launched at short range, he succeeded in delivering a series of crippling blows, despite continuous fire from heavy caliber enemy guns, and contributed materially to the victorious conclusion of this historic battle. His courage, leadership and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service."