Thomas E. Atkins

Infobox Military Person
name= Thomas E. Atkins
born= February 1921
died= September death year and age|1999|1921
placeofbirth= Campobello, South Carolina
placeofdeath=
placeofburial=


caption=Thomas Atkins
nickname=
allegiance= United States of America
branch= United States Army
serviceyears=
rank= corporal
commands=
unit= Company A, 127th Infantry Regiment, 32d Division
battles= World War II
awards= Medal of Honor Bronze Star Purple Heart
laterwork=

Thomas E. Atkins (February 1921 - September 1999) was a Private in the United States Army who was awarded the Medal of Honor for actions in World War II during the Philippines Campaign of 1945.

Medal of Honor citation

Atkins, Thomas E.
"
Rank and organization:"Private First Class, U.S. Army, Company A, 127th Infantry, 32d Infantry Division.
"
Place and date:"Villa Verde Trail, Luzon, Philippine Islands, 10 March 1945.
"
Entered service at:"Fort Stotsenburg, Philippine Islands
"
Born:" Campobello, South Carolina
"
Citation:
":He fought gallantly on the Villa Verde Trail, Luzon, Philippine Islands. With 2 companions he occupied a position on a ridge outside the perimeter defense established by the 1st Platoon on a high hill. At about 3 a.m., 2 companies of Japanese attacked with rifle and machinegun fire, grenades, TNT charges, and land mines, severely wounding Pfc. Atkins and killing his 2 companions. Despite the intense hostile fire and pain from his deep wound, he held his ground and returned heavy fire. After the attack was repulsed, he remained in his precarious position to repel any subsequent assaults instead of returning to the American lines for medical treatment. An enemy machinegun, set up within 20 yards of his foxhole, vainly attempted to drive him off or silence his gun. The Japanese repeatedly made fierce attacks, but for 4 hours, Pfc. Atkins determinedly remained in his fox hole, bearing the brunt of each assault and maintaining steady and accurate fire until each charge was repulsed. At 7 a.m., 13 enemy dead lay in front of his position; he had fired 400 rounds, all he and his 2 dead companions possessed, and had used 3 rifles until each had jammed too badly for further operation. He withdrew during a lull to secure a rifle and more ammunition, and was persuaded to remain for medical treatment. While waiting, he saw a Japanese within the perimeter and, seizing a nearby rifle, killed him. A few minutes later, while lying on a litter, he discovered an enemy group moving up behind the platoon's lines. Despite his severe wound, he sat up, delivered heavy rifle fire against the group and forced them to withdraw. Pfc. Atkins' superb bravery and his fearless determination to hold his post against the main force of repeated enemy attacks, even though painfully wounded, were major factors in enabling his comrades to maintain their lines against a numerically superior enemy force

After the war

Atkins retired from the army and settled in his hometome of Campobello, South Carolina where eventually became a farmer.

ee also

*List of Medal of Honor recipients
*List of Medal of Honor recipients for World War II

References

* [http://www.homeofheroes.com/moh/citations_living/ii_a_atkins.html Home of Heroes]
* [http://www.mishalov.com/Atkins_Thomas.html New York Times article]
*findagrave|7814822 Retrieved on 2007-11-12

Persondata
NAME= Atkins, Thomas E.
ALTERNATIVE NAMES=
SHORT DESCRIPTION= United States Army Medal of Honor recipient
DATE OF BIRTH=
PLACE OF BIRTH=
DATE OF DEATH=
PLACE OF DEATH=