Willis M. Thomas

The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the Navy Cross (Posthumously) to Willis M. Thomas, Lieutenant Commander, U.S. Navy, for extraordinary heroism and distinguished service in the line of his profession as Commanding Officer of the U.S.S. POMPANO (SS-181), during the FIRST War Patrol of that vessel in enemy controlled waters near the Japanese home islands during the period 19 July 1942 to 12 September 1942. Despite strong enemy countermeasures and unfavorable sea conditions, Lieutenant Commander Thomas took advantage of every opportunity to strike the enemy and in a series of skillfully conducted attacks succeeded in sinking a destroyer, a 900-ton patrol vessel, and 6,900 tons of merchant shipping without casualty to personnel of his own command. Lieutenant Commander Thomas’s conduct throughout was an inspiration to his officers and men, and are in keeping with the highest traditions of the Naval Service.

Bureau of Naval Personnel Information Bulletin No. 313 (April 1943)