In November 1999, researchers discovered a mass grave on Makin Island that contained human remains, equipment, and dog tags belonging to Marine Raiders.

Following his death, the people of Georgia bought a sufficient number of war bonds to purchase for the Navy a cruiser, the USS Atlanta.

The bonds were oversubscribed, and there was money enough to pay the cost of two destroyer escorts, one of which, DE-203, was named the USS Thomason, launched at the Charleston Naval Shipyard in August 1943.

[2] The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the MEDAL OF HONOR posthumously to for service as set forth in the following CITATION: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while a member of the Second Marine Raider Battalion in action against the Japanese-held island of Makin on August 17–18, 1942.

Landing the advance element of the assault echelon, Sergeant Thomason disposed his men with keen judgment and discrimination and by his exemplary leadership and great personal valor, exhorted them to like fearless efforts.

On one occasion, he dauntlessly walked up to a house which concealed an enemy Japanese sniper, forced in the door and shot the man before he could resist.

His courage and loyal devotion to duty in the face of grave peril were in keeping with the finest traditions of the United States Naval Service.