Item Description
Original Items: One-of-a-kind collection! This is extraordinary. Purchased from the Veteran’s estate. First Lieutenant Paul C. Thomas, Jr. (ASN O-1318942) a true hero, was a member of the Company F, 117th Infantry Regiment, 30th Infantry Division ("Old Hickory") during WWII. He was awarded the silver star for Gallantry in Action for actions during the Battle of the Bulge on January 16th, 1945. His original Silver Star Medal, Original Silver Star Citation and Original Photo of him being awarded the medal are all included in this collection. His citation reads as follows:
Award of the Silver Star Medal Citation
First Lieutenant Paul C. Thomas, Jr., O1318942, 117th Infantry Regiment, United States Army, is awarded the Silver Star for gallantry in action on 16 January 1945, in Belgium. An enemy tank was holding up the attack of his company and it was not expedient to call for artillery fire due to the proximity of other friendly units. At great risk to his life, Lieutenant Thomas entered a tank destroyer vehicle and deliberately fired at the tank to draw its fire. This heroic action enabled friendly tanks to move into position to destroy the enemy. Entered Military service from West Virginia.
L.S. HOBBS
Major General - U.S. Army
Commanding
Also included in this wonderful rare grouping are the following items:
- Original WW2 very good condition, approximate size 40, Class A four pocket uniform jacket named on inside pocket tailors label in type written font P C THOMAS. 30th ID patch on left shoulder and Lieutenant bars on both epaulets. Wonderful rare 117th Infantry Regiment enamel Distinctive Unit Insignia pins on both epaulets. The Patches, ribbons, awards are as follows: Sterling Silver CIB, Silver Star, Army Good Conduct Medal, European-African-Middle East Campaign Ribbon with One Battle Star, American Campaign Medal. The left sleeve has 3 bars indication 18+ months of overseas service.
- Original WWII Silver Star Medal.
- Original WWII Silver Star Citation.
- Original WWII Photo of Lt. Thomas reviving his Silver Star Medal.
- Original WWII Excellent Condition, size 6 7/8, officer overseas garrison cap with Lieutenant bar.
- Original WW2 next of kin Dog Tags (3 total)
- Original 30th Infantry Division History Book named to Paul Thomas Jr. Company F, 117th Infantry Regiment.
- Lots of Original WW2 unattached patches, pins, insignia, and more!
30th ID during the Battle of the Bulge in Belgium:
On 17 December the 30th division rushed south to the Malmedy-Stavelot area to help block the powerful enemy drive in the Battle of the Bulge — the Germans's last attempt to win a decisive victory over the Western Allies. Again the division met the 1st SS Division, and again broke the spearhead of their assault. The 30th Division launched a counterattack on 13 January 1945 and reached a point 2 miles south of St. Vith, Belgium on 26 January, before leaving the battle and moving to an assembly area near Lierneux on 27 January, and to another near Aachen to prepare for attack deeper into the western edge of Germany at the Roer River. The Roer was crossed on 23 February 1945, near Jülich.
The 30th moved back for training and rehabilitation on 3 March, and on 24 March made its assault crossing of the Rhine. It pursued the enemy across Germany, mopping up enemy pockets of resistance, took Hamelin on 7 April, Braunschweig on 12 April, and helped to reduce Magdeburg on 17 April. The Russians were contacted at Grunewald on the Elbe River. The end of World War II in Europe came soon afterwards and, after a short occupation period, the 30th Division began its return to the United States, arriving on 19 August 1945. The surrender of Japan followed soon, which brought the war to an end.
HEADQUARTERS 30TH INFANTRY DIVISION
OFFICE OF THE COMMANDING GENERAL
OLD HICKORY
Award of the Silver Star Medal Citation
First Lieutenant Paul C. Thomas, Jr., O1318942, 117th Infantry Regiment, United States Army, is awarded the Silver Star for gallantry in action on 16 January 1945, in Belgium. An enemy tank was holding up the attack of his company and it was not expedient to call for artillery fire due to the proximity of other friendly units. At great risk to his life, Lieutenant Thomas entered a tank destroyer vehicle and deliberately fired at the tank to draw its fire. This heroic action enabled friendly tanks to move into position to destroy the enemy. Entered Military service from West Virginia.
L.S. HOBBS
Major General - U.S. Army
Commanding
Also included in this wonderful rare grouping are the following items:
- Original WW2 very good condition, approximate size 40, Class A four pocket uniform jacket named on inside pocket tailors label in type written font P C THOMAS. 30th ID patch on left shoulder and Lieutenant bars on both epaulets. Wonderful rare 117th Infantry Regiment enamel Distinctive Unit Insignia pins on both epaulets. The Patches, ribbons, awards are as follows: Sterling Silver CIB, Silver Star, Army Good Conduct Medal, European-African-Middle East Campaign Ribbon with One Battle Star, American Campaign Medal. The left sleeve has 3 bars indication 18+ months of overseas service.
- Original WWII Silver Star Medal.
- Original WWII Silver Star Citation.
- Original WWII Photo of Lt. Thomas reviving his Silver Star Medal.
- Original WWII Excellent Condition, size 6 7/8, officer overseas garrison cap with Lieutenant bar.
- Original WW2 next of kin Dog Tags (3 total)
- Original 30th Infantry Division History Book named to Paul Thomas Jr. Company F, 117th Infantry Regiment.
- Lots of Original WW2 unattached patches, pins, insignia, and more!
30th ID during the Battle of the Bulge in Belgium:
On 17 December the 30th division rushed south to the Malmedy-Stavelot area to help block the powerful enemy drive in the Battle of the Bulge — the Germans's last attempt to win a decisive victory over the Western Allies. Again the division met the 1st SS Division, and again broke the spearhead of their assault. The 30th Division launched a counterattack on 13 January 1945 and reached a point 2 miles south of St. Vith, Belgium on 26 January, before leaving the battle and moving to an assembly area near Lierneux on 27 January, and to another near Aachen to prepare for attack deeper into the western edge of Germany at the Roer River. The Roer was crossed on 23 February 1945, near Jülich.
The 30th moved back for training and rehabilitation on 3 March, and on 24 March made its assault crossing of the Rhine. It pursued the enemy across Germany, mopping up enemy pockets of resistance, took Hamelin on 7 April, Braunschweig on 12 April, and helped to reduce Magdeburg on 17 April. The Russians were contacted at Grunewald on the Elbe River. The end of World War II in Europe came soon afterwards and, after a short occupation period, the 30th Division began its return to the United States, arriving on 19 August 1945. The surrender of Japan followed soon, which brought the war to an end.
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