JOHNIE B
THOMAS
is honored on Panel 36E, Row 39 of
the Vietnam Veterans Memorial.
Full Name: JOHNIE B THOMAS
Wall Name: JOHNIE B THOMAS
Date of Birth: 12/24/1942
Date of Casualty: 1/31/1968
Home of Record: DETROIT
State: MI
Branch of Service: ARMY
Rank: SGT
Casualty Country: SOUTH VIETNAM
Casualty Province: GIA DINH
EXCERPT
FROM "716th MILITARY POLICE
BATTALION - HISTORY PAGE"
(http://www.campbell.army.mil/716mp/716history.htm)
The most famous
action during the TET offensive occurred at the U.S. Embassy where SPC
Charles Daniel and PFC William Sebast of the 527th Military Police
Company were augmenting the marine security detail. At 0247 hours, Viet
Cong sappers blew a hole in the embassy compound’s perimeter wall and
attacked through the breach. SPC Daniel and PFC Sebast radioed for help
and engaged the attacking Viet Cong. They were able to kill the first
two attacking sappers before being shot down. Two MPs who responded to
the calls for help, SGT Jonnie Thomas and SPC Owen Mebust, were
ambushed and killed as they approached the embassy compound.
The actions
of these Military Police soldiers bought enough time for the marine
guards to seal the doors to the embassy building. The Viet Cong
attempted to blow the doors off the embassy building with rockets, but
failed. Consequently, the Viet Cong were never able to enter the
embassy building. As both Military Police and marine reaction forces
responded to the embassy, a stalemate ensued. Military Police
surrounded the compound and exchanged fire with the guerillas on the
grounds, but could not enter the compound due to the volume of fire and
uncertainty as to the enemy’s disposition. The Viet Cong could not
enter the embassy building and could not exit the compound.
Additionally, an infantry reaction force that attempted to land by
helicopter on the roof of the embassy was repulsed by enemy fire.
EXCERPT
FROM "TET OFFENSIVE OF 1968"
(http://www.geocities.com/militarypoliceofvietnam/Tet.html)
The following
chronological account is partially taken from the Staff Duty Log of the
716th MP Battalion:
2:45 a.m.
Mortar fire drops into city. Muoi drives by again. This time he shouts,
"Tien" (forward)! A Peugeot truck and a taxicab drive west on Thong
Nhut Boulevard along the south wall of the four acre compound and stop.
The sappers begin unloading weapons and equipment as others step out
from the shadows.
Two
military police, Specialist 4 Charles L. Daniel, 23, of Durham, NC, and
Private First Class William E. Sebast, 20, of Albany, NY., both from
Company C, 716th MP Battalion, are at the east side entrance on Mac
Dinh Chi.
2:46 a.m.
At the Embassy rear fence Commandos appear in civvies and black
pajamas, with red armbands. Carrying new AK-47s, three B-40 rockets and
explosives, they climb into the compound.
2:47
a.m. Part of the commando team attacks the side gate. SPC Daniel and
PFC Sebast close and secure the gate and radio "Signal 300" (enemy
attack). The VC then blast a hole in the ten-foot wall, at the front of
the Embassy, with a 3.5 inch rocket (B-40).
Daniel
radios, "They're coming in! They're coming in! Help me! Help me!" They
manage to kill two Viet Cong leaders before they are gunned down on the
Embassy grounds.
Nguyen Thai
Ba, a night chauffeur, attempts to stop the VC and is shot down. The
lead element of VC blows the lock off the side gate and the telephone
lines are cut.
MP Sergeant
Jonnie B. Thomas, 24, of Detroit, MI., and Specialist Owen E. Mebust,
20, of Lynwood, CA., of the 716th MP Battalion respond to Daniel's call
for assistance and drive east on Thong Nhut Boulevard. As they
reach the main entrance they are ambushed and killed by automatic rifle
fire. Other military police and US Marines are now also responding.
CASUALTY
RECORD FOR JOHNIE B. THOMAS
FROM
WWW.NO-QUARTER.ORG
(http://www.no-quarter.org/gui/detail.php?ID=51636)
GENERAL/PERSONAL
Home: Detroit, Michigan
Birth Date: 1942-12-24
Sex: Male
Race: Negro
Married/Single: Single
Religion: Baptist - Other Groups
Citizen: Yes
MILITARY
Service: Army
Rank: SGT
Serial Number: 16692440
Component: Regular
Grade: E5
MOS: 95B40
Length of Service: 06
Start of Tour: 1966-09-01
CASUALTY
Casualty Date: 1968-01-31
Casualty Type: Hostile, Died
Reason: Gun, Small Arms Fire
Air or Ground: Ground Casualty
Country: South Vietnam
Province: Gia Dinh
Posthumous Promotion: No change
Body Recovered: Body recovered
Location on The Wall: Panel 36E - Row 039
RefNo: 10338
Processed Date: 6801