Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

2nd Lieutenant

Unit:

Company A, 398th Infantry Regiment, 100th Infantry Division "Century", U.S. Army (Company A, 398th Infantry Regiment, 100th Infantry Division "Century", U.S. Army)

Second Lt. Thomas E. Plante, 01050421, Infantry, 398th Infantry
Regiment, for extraordinary heroism in action on March 16, 1945 in
the vicinity of Bitche, France. When the enemy launched a strong
tank-infantry counterattack, the weapons platoon under Lieutenant
Plante's command took refuge in a nearby building. One hostile tank
approached the building, firing cannon and machine guns at pointblank range. When two rocket rounds fired at the tank missed their mark, Lieutenant Plante seized the rocket launcher, ran toward the armored vehicle and disabled it with a third round. He then attempted to hurl a phosphorus grenade into the tank, but was mortally wounded by, machine gun fire. Lieutenant Plante's extremely courageous actions prevented many casualties and live as an inspiration to his men.

Posthumously awarded.
Headquarters, Seventh U.S. Army, General Orders No. 585 (6 October 1945).

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

2nd Lieutenant

Unit:

Company A, 398th Infantry Regiment, 100th Infantry Division "Century", U.S. Army