Battle of Cape Esperance
He was serving on the light cruiser during the Battle of Cape Esperance. When his "turret was hit by enemy fire and danger of ... explosions grew increasingly imminent, Lt. (j.g.) "Thomas" with utter disregard of his own personal safety remained behind to ensure abandonment of the perilous area . . . Despite the fact that eight of his men succeeded in getting out and that he too might easily have escaped . . . Thomas when last seen was telephoning the handling room to order the crew out."