History & Notes: Thomas Croft Neibaur was the only World War I veteran from Idaho to receive the Congressional Medal of Honor. He was also decorated twice by France, once by Italy, and once by Montenegro. Thomas was born in Sharon, Idaho May 17, 1898 and served in the 167th Infantry - Rainbow (42nd) Division. He was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for his acts of heroism on the battlefield in 1918. In spite of the hero's welcome he received upon his return home, Thomas and his family faced prolonged hardship for many years with the Great Depression adding further destitution. Impoverished and struggling to sustain his family, Thomas sent his hard won medals and honors back to Congress in 1939 with the note, "I cannot eat them." In the ensuing news coverage, Thomas was finally again able to find employment as a night guard in the Idaho Capitol building. Just three years later, Thomas fell ill with tuberculosis and died. Congress returned the medals to his widow, Mrs. Lillian Neibaur and she presented them to the Idaho State Historical Society.
Description: Congressional Medal of Honor on blue grosgrain ribbon embroidered with white stars.
Object Number: 1962.141.0002
Object: medal, military
Category: Personal Gear
Circa: 1910
Materials: ribbon, metal
Donor: Lillian Golden Neibaur