Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Staff Sergeant

Unit:

15th Armored Infantry Battalion, 5th Armored Division "Victory Division" U.S. Army (15th Armored Infantry Battalion, 5th Armored Division "Victory Division" U.S. Army)

The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Thomas A. Greene (38103835), Staff Sergeant, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as a Medical Aidman with the 15th Armored Infantry Battalion, 5th Armored Division, in action against enemy forces on 18 September 1944, in Germany. A squad of armored infantrymen accompanied by a tank was assigned the mission of pushing through enemy positions to regain contact with the battalion Command Post. Staff Sergeant Greene, though wounded the previous day, voluntarily accompanied his comrades on the dangerous assignment. Near the enemy lines, the tank received a direct hit. While its crew members were attempting to dismount, two men were seriously wounded. Disregarding heavy artillery, mortar and small arms fire placed by the enemy upon the disabled tank, Staff Sergeant Greene advanced unhesitatingly to aid the wounded men. He ignored the pleas of his comrades to return to the rear when the squad was ordered to withdraw and chose to remain with the men. When intense enemy mortar fire began to fall in the area, Staff Sergeant Greene with calm efficiency and at the risk of his own life, continued to render medical treatment. He was last seen attempting to drag his wounded comrades to the safety of a nearby ditch. By his display of fearless courage, tenacity of purpose and unflinching devotion to duty, Staff Sergeant Greene exemplified the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States and reflected great credit upon himself, the 5th Armored Division, and the United States Army.

HQ 1st US Army. GO 82 1944

Posthumously awarded.