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Sgt Thomas Rochon attended Albany High School and was employed at New York Power & Light Corporation.

He enlisted in Albany, New York on 1 January 1943 and took part in the battles in North Africa, Sicily and southern France. He suffered severe bayonet wounds in the Sicilian campaign but was able to rejoin his unit at the front.

The Silver Star was awarded for action on 2 October 1944. The citation reads: "Sgt Rochon's platoon while isolated by enemy fire was ordered to rejoin its company. A grip of enemy in a nearby house cut the platoon route with heavy machine gun fire and threatened to prevent the change in position. Sgt Rochon, braving the heavy fire covering the area advanced alone across the open ground to a position near the enemy-held building and hurled several grenades into the house. This attack disorganized the enemy and forced them to withdraw, permitting Sgt Rochon's platoon to rejoin the company. After the platoon had reached the new position it was discovered that two of the men were missing. Sgt Rochon voluntarily returned to the village under fire, found the men and led them back to safety."