Charles L . Thomas Major Charles Leroy Thomas ( April 17 , 1920 – February 15 , 1980 ) was a United States Army officer who was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for his actions while a company commander during the capture of Climbach , France in 1944 — the second African American to be awarded one during World War II . This award was upgraded to the Medal of Honor awarded posthumously in 1997 . Biography . Prior to the war he had worked as a molder for the Ford Motor Company , and was a student at Wayne State University when he joined the Army in January 1942 . He was assigned to the 614th Tank Destroyer Battalion , and sent to Officer Candidate School ; he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in March 1943 and returned to his battalion , deploying with it to England and then to North - Western Europe . On December 14 , 1944 , Thomas led a task force storming Climbach , consisting of a platoon from the 756th Tank Battalion and a reinforced company of the 411th Infantry Regiment , 103rd Infantry Division , led by a platoon of his tank destroyers . Approaching Climbach , Thomas ' armored scout car was knocked out by enemy fire and he was wounded . The lieutenant helped his crew out of the vehicle , but as he left the car ' s protection , he was again wounded in the chest , legs and arms . Despite his wounds , Thomas directed the dispersal and emplacement of the anti - tank guns , which then returned fire and covered the attempt by the rest of the task force to outflank the defenders . He briefed one of his platoon leaders , a junior lieutenant , on the general situation , and only when he was sure the situation was under control did he allow himself to be evacuated . The platoon continued to fight for four hours , losing two of its four guns and half its men as casualties ( 3 dead , 17 wounded ) . The strong performance of the platoon ensured the capture of the town and forced the defenders to withdraw to the Siegfried Line ; the unit was awarded a Distinguished Unit Citation ( the first black combat unit , and the first unit attached to the 103rd Division , to be so honored ) and its men received four Silver Star s and nine Bronze Star s . Thomas himself was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for his part in the engagement , and returned home a hero , though he played down his role - " I know I was sent out to locate and draw the enemy fire , but I didn ' t mean to draw that much . " Thomas remained in the Army , and retired with the rank of Major . In the 1990s , following a study which indicated severe racial discrimination in the process of awarding medals during the war , it was recommended that seven Distinguished Service Crosses be upgraded to Medals of Honor , and Thomas was awarded the Medal of Honor posthumously on January 13 , 1997 . Awards and decoration . Awards and Decorations : Medal of Honor ( as of September 23 , 1996 ) ; Purple Heart ; European - African - Middle Eastern Campaign Medal ; World War II Victory Medal . Medal of Honor citation . Thomas ' Medal of Honor citation reads : For extraordinary heroism in action on December 14 , 1944 , near Climbach , France . While riding in the lead vehicle of a task force organized to storm and capture the village of Climbach , France , then First Lieutenant Thomas ' s armored scout car was subjected to intense enemy artillery , self - propelled gun , and small arms fire . Although wounded by the initial burst of hostile fire , Lieutenant Thomas signalled the remainder of the column to halt and , despite the severity of his wounds , assisted the crew of the wrecked car in dismounting . Upon leaving the scant protection which the vehicle afforded , Lieutenant Thomas was again subjected to a hail of enemy fire which inflicted multiple gunshot wounds in his chest , legs , and left arm . Despite the intense pain caused by these wounds , Lieutenant Thomas ordered and directed the dispersion and emplacement of two antitank guns which in a few moments were promptly and effectively returning the enemy fire . Realizing that he could no longer remain in command of the platoon , he signalled to the platoon commander to join him . Lieutenant Thomas then thoroughly oriented him on enemy gun dispositions and the general situation . Only after he was certain that his junior officer was in full control of the situation did he permit himself to be evacuated . First Lieutenant Thomas ' outstanding heroism were an inspiration to his men and exemplify the highest traditions of the Armed Forces .