Atkins, Thomas E., 1921-1999

This is a general view of the mass Congressional Medal of Honor presentation ceremony held in the White House Garden in which fifteen servicemen were awarded the Honor. President Harry S. Truman is shown here, center, presenting the award to Corporal Thomas E. Atkins, Campobello, South Carolina. Includes partial view of the south side of the White House and the West Executive Office Building. General George C. Marshall is seated on the far right, second from the left. Major General Harry Vaughan is standing next to the United States glad near the table holding the medals.

Fifteen members of the Army Ground Forces stand on the White House lawn after being presented the Congressional Medal of Honor by President Harry S. Truman (not pictured). From left to right: Sergeant Christos H. Karaberis, Sergeant Freeman Horner, Corporal Desmond T. Doss, Corporal Clarence B. Craft, Captain James M. Burt, Corporal Melvin E. Biddle, Corporal Edward A. Bennett, Corporal Thomas E. Atkins, Private First Class William A. Soderman, Second Lieutenant Edward A. Silk, Sergeant Cleto Rodriguez, Sergeant Nicholas Oresko, Sergeant Dexter J. Kerstetter, and Sergeant Thomas J. Kelly.