Soldier's story shows who our real heroes are

This past Veterans Day (as in every Veterans Day) my memory took me back to April 1955 as I was returning on a troop ship from several years of service in occupied Germany. The ship was the Private William H. Thomas. I was curious as to why a ship would be named after an army private. I soon found the ship's plaque, and my curiosity turned to tears and an enormous sense of pride in this young American.

Private William H. Thomas was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions in the Zimbales Mountains of Luzon, Philippines, on April 22, 1945. The following is the official Medal of Honor citation: "He was a member of the leading squad of Company B, which was attacking along a narrow, wooded ridge. The enemy strongly entrenched in camouflaged emplacements on the hill beyond directed heavy fire and hurled explosive charges on the attacking riflemen. Pfc. Thomas, an automatic rifleman, was struck by one of these charges, which blew off both his legs below the knees. He refused medical aid and evacuation, and continued to fire at the enemy until his weapon was put out of action by an enemy bullet. Still refusing aid, he threw his last two grenades. He destroyed three of the enemy after suffering the wounds from which he died later that day. The effective fire of Pfc. Thomas prevented the repulse of his platoon and assured the capture of the hostile position. His magnificent courage and heroic devotion to duty provided a lasting inspiration for his comrades."

Most people have sports figures, entertainers, scientists, etc., as their heroes. Nothing wrong with that. But my hero, for the past 69 years has been William H. Thomas, who at age 22 years, 3 months and 9 days demonstrated his last full measure of devotion and gave his life so that the rest of us could live in a free USA.

Len Brauer

Palatine