Medal of Honor: Thomas E. Atkins – U.S. Army – World War II

Name: Thomas E. Atkins
Rank: Private First Class
Branch: U.S. Army
Unit: Company A, 127th Infantry Regiment, 32d Infantry Division
Place: Villa Verde Trail, Luzon, Philippine Islands
Entered Service At: Campobello, South Carolina
Born: Campobello, South Carolina
G.O. No.: 95, 30 October 1945

---

Summary of Action

During the fierce fighting along the Villa Verde Trail on Luzon, Private First Class Thomas E. Atkins occupied an exposed ridge position with two fellow soldiers outside the main defensive perimeter of his platoon.

At approximately 3:00 a.m., two companies of Japanese soldiers launched a massive assault against the position using rifles, machine guns, grenades, TNT charges, and land mines.

The attack was devastating.

Both of Atkins’ companions were killed and he was severely wounded.

Despite the intense fire and his painful injuries, Atkins refused to abandon his post.

Alone in his foxhole, he continued firing steadily into the attacking enemy.

After the first assault was repelled, he chose to remain in the exposed position rather than return to the American lines for medical treatment.

An enemy machine gun was set up only 20 yards from his foxhole, repeatedly trying to silence him.

For four hours, wave after wave of Japanese troops attacked.

Atkins held his ground through every assault.

He fired 400 rounds, using three different rifles as each weapon eventually jammed from the intense fighting.

By dawn, 13 enemy soldiers lay dead in front of his position.

During a brief lull, he withdrew only long enough to secure more ammunition and another rifle, where he was persuaded to remain temporarily for medical attention.

Even then, the fight was not over.

Spotting a Japanese soldier inside the American perimeter, Atkins seized a rifle and shot him.

Minutes later, while lying on a litter awaiting treatment, he noticed another enemy group attempting to infiltrate behind the platoon’s lines.

Despite his severe wounds, he sat up and opened fire, forcing the enemy to withdraw.

His courage and determination played a critical role in allowing his unit to hold its defensive position against a numerically superior enemy force.

---

Medal of Honor Citation

ATKINS, THOMAS E.

Place and date: Villa Verde Trail, Luzon, Philippine Islands, 10 March 1945.

Birth: Campobello, S.C.

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.