Gerald C. Thomas
| Gerald C. Thomas | |
|---|---|
Gerald Carthrae Thomas, USMC
|
|
| Nickname(s) | "Jerry" |
| Born |
October 29, 1894 Slater, Missouri |
| Died | April 7, 1984 (aged 89) Washington, D.C. |
| Place of burial | Arlington National Cemetery |
| Allegiance |
 United States of America
|
| Service/branch |
 United States Marine Corps
|
| Years of service | 1917–1956 |
| Rank |
 General
|
| Commands held |
Fleet Marine Force, Western Pacific 1st Marine Division Assistant Commandant of the Marine Corps (1952–1954) Marine Corps Schools, Quantico |
| Battles/wars |
World War I *Battle of Belleau Wood *Battle of Soissons United States occupation of Haiti *Battle of Port-au-Prince (1920) World War II *Battle of Guadalcanal *Battle of Tulagi Korean War |
| Awards |
Distinguished Service Cross Distinguished Service Medal (Navy) Distinguished Service Medal (U.S. Army) Silver Star Legion of Merit (2) Purple Heart French Fourragere |
Gerald Carthrae Thomas (October 29, 1894 – April 7, 1984) was a United States Marine Corps general who served as Assistant Commandant of the Marine Corps. He retired from the Marine Corps in 1956 with more 38 years of distinguished service which included duty on four continents, spanning two World Wars, Haiti and the Korean War. During World War I, he fought in major offensives, including the Battle of Belleau Wood, and was awarded the Silver Star and the Purple Heart.
Gerald Carthrae Thomas was born on October 29, 1894, in Slater, Missouri. Thomas was attending Illinois Wesleyan University at the start of World War I. When the U.S. entered the war and a call was made for men, Gerald, then a sophomore, enlisted for military service. He was awarded a degree of Doctor of Laws by his alma mater on February 10, 1954.
Gerald enlisted in the Marine Corps on May 28, 1917. He completed boot camp at Parris Island and then joined the 1st Battalion 6th Marines
Sailing for France in September 1917, Thomas saw action with the 6th Marines at Verdun, Belleau Wood, Soissons, and in the Meuse-Argonne Offensive (Champagne). He was promoted to sergeant and served as an intelligence sergeant. During the battle in Belleau Wood, he led a squad of Marines and received the Silver Star for bravery. At Soisson, his company sustained heavy losses and he became the acting platoon leader. In September 1918, he was commissioned a second lieutenant. During his World War I service, in addition to the award of the Silver Star for valor, he was awarded the Purple Heart for wounds received in battle, and as a member of the 6th Marine Regiment, he became entitled to wear the French Fourragere. After participating in the occupation of Germany, he returned to the United States in July 1919.
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