John William Thomason, Jr.

Colonel, U. S. Marine Corps

Navy Cross

GENERAL ORDERS:
CITATION:
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Major [then Second Lieutenant] John W. Thomason, Jr. (MCSN: 0-985), United States Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism while serving with the 49th Company, First Battalion, 5th Regiment (Marines), 2d Division, A.E.F. in the Battle of Soissons.
When a German machine gun nest held up a Marine advance on 18 July 1918, Major Thomason and one of his men fearlessly advanced on the position and killed thirteen of the enemy.

GENERAL ORDERS:
War Department, General Orders No. 13 (1923)
CITATION:
By direction of the President, under the provisions of the act of Congress approved July 9, 1918 (Bul. No. 43, W.D., 1918), Captain [then First Lieutenant] John W. Thomason, Jr. (MCSN: 0-985), United States Marine Corps, is cited by the Commanding General, American Expeditionary Forces, for gallantry in action and a silver star may be placed upon the ribbon of the Victory Medals awarded him.
Lieutenant Thomason distinguished himself by gallantry in action while serving with the 49th Company, Fifth Regiment (Marines), 2d Division, American Expeditionary Forces, at Soissons, France, 18 July 1918.
While attacking through the Foret de Retz his company was stopped by heavy casualties from violent machine gun fire, the enemy machine gun nest discovered to be in underbrush about 50 yards distant from the company's position. To prevent further casualties he with one man and with great gallantry captured the nest containing two heavy machine guns and killed the crew.

John Thomason became one of the Marine Corps' most prolific and popular artists and authors. Serving in World War II and promoted to Colonel May 30, 1942, he died at San Diego Naval Hospital March 12, 1944. When the train bearing his body crossed the state border at El Paso, all official flags were lowered to half mast in his honor.