Private Thomas was a member of the 24th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division. He was seriously wounded by the enemy in South Korea on 18 February 1951 and returned to duty on 28 March 1951. He was Killed in Action while fighting the enemy in South Korea on 6 May 1951.

Thomas was awarded the Purple Heart with Oak Leaf Cluster, the Combat Infantryman's Badge, the Korean Service Medal, the United Nations Service Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Korean Presidential Unit Citation and the Republic of Korea War Service Medal.