Thomas McDermott was born in Streator, Illinois on October 8, 1889. He died in Illinois in December, 1966. He enlisted in the Army at Jefferson Barracks, Missouri on July 31, 1917. He sailed for France on May 3, 1918. He was discharged August 9, 1919. According to his discharge certificate he participated in the following campaigns: Aisne-Marne, St. Mihiel, Meuse-Argonne,Vesle Sector, Champagne, Toulon Sector, and Lorraine.
GO#30 of Headquarters, 8th Infantry Brigade, dated November 25, 1918 cited Sgt. McDermott for gallantry in action, as follows: "Thomas McDermott, 561759. Sergeant, Headquarters Company, 59th Infantry, Aisne-Marne Offensive. July 18th to August 13th, 1918. While the 59th Infantry was engaged on the Vesle River, from August 8th to 12th, 1918, Seargent McDermott displayed great courage and fearlessness and disregard for personal safety in repairing telephone lines under shell fire and operating switch board under the most trying conditions. Sergeant McDermott refused to be evacuated, although badly gassed."
Sgt. McDermott's group includes his 4 bar WW1 Victory medal, officially engraved split brooch Bailey, Banks and Biddle Silver Star edge numbered 11955, replacement officially engraved slot brooch Silver Star, French Marne medal, original discharge certificate, 2 copies of the original extract of GO #30, original Baptism Cetificate, original French Marne medal certificate, WW1 Veteran's side cap, plus copies of internet research. There is no Purple Heart, and there is no information that he applied for one.
