page_title: William Nathaniel Thomas
section_title: Honors and awards
hierarchical_section_title: William Nathaniel Thomas / Honors and awards
caption_attribution_description: English: Chaplain Thomas Legion of Merit Presentation, January 9, 1947
context_page_description: William Nathaniel Thomas was a US Navy chief of chaplains, described by one historian as "one of the most distinguished Chaplains ever to serve in the US Navy." Born in Mississippi and entering the navy in 1918, he became a rear admiral and was a chief of chaplains of the United States Navy. He was chaplain aboard the USS Madawaska, a World War I troop transport. He then served on the USS Pennsylvania, the USS Raleigh and the USS West Virginia. He served at the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, as an assistant chaplain and then as command chaplain. He wrote the Prayer of the Midshipman and the Dedication in Memorial Hall at the Naval Academy.
context_section_description: Victory Medal with Transport Clasp
  American Defense Campaign Service Ribbon
  American Area Campaign Ribbon
  Victory Medal, WWII
  Legion of Merit  1947
  Honorary Doctor of Divinity  from the Millsaps College in 1935.
  Honorary Doctor of Divinity from American University in 1943
caption: Chaplain Thomas Legion of Merit Presentation 1947
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