Bakersfield, California, US
United States Marine Corps
CPL, Company A, 1st Amp Tractor Bn, 3rd Marine Div
Quang Tri Province , South Vietnam, 09/06/1967
The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Navy Cross (Posthumously) to Corporal Thomas Soliz (MCSN: 2180067), United States Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism while serving as a Radio Operator with Company A, First Amphibian Tractor Battalion, THIRD Marine Division (Reinforced), Fleet Marine Force, in Quang Tri Province in the Republic of Vietnam on 6 September 1967.
While on patrol, the Third Platoon of Company A was suddenly attacked by a numerically superior North Vietnamese Army force. Observing his Platoon Commander wounded and the platoon sustaining heavy casualties from a withering enemy fire of automatic, small-arms and antitank weapons, Corporal Soliz, with complete disregard for his own safety, ran about twenty-five meters through extremely heavy fire to climb aboard an amphibian tractor to man a machine gun. Knowing the safety of the platoon and outcome of the battle depended on his platoon gaining fire superiority, he unhesitatingly proceeded to place a heavy volume of well-aimed fire on the enemy which enabled the platoon to gain fire superiority, deploy to better defensive positions and evacuate several seriously wounded Marines to amphibian tractors where they could be treated.
As he was delivering his devastating fire into the enemy, he was severely wounded by enemy fire which rendered him unconscious. Before assistance could arrive, Corporal Soliz was hit again and mortally wounded.
Corporal Soliz’s concern for the other members of his platoon coupled with his keen professional skill and unfaltering dedication to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.