 For exceptionally meritorious service during his last tour of duty while stationed at Quantico, he was awarded a Gold Star in lieu of a second Distinguished Service Medal.LtGen Thrash and his wife, the former Virginia Merryman of Atlanta, Georgia, had two sons, William Gay Jr., and Ralph Merryman Thrash, both Marine Corps officers.LtGen and Mrs. Thrash resided in Newport Beach, California, then later in Hilton Head, South Carolina.