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| Grace Gay Thomas, Jr
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| NO. 17648 • 3 July 1928 - 14 September 1994
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| Died in Bradenton, FL. Interred in Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, VA.
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"G.G.,"as he
was known by his classmates and friends, was born in Monroe, LA, the oldest of the
3 children of Grace Gay and Gene Thomas.
In 1935, the family
moved to the Panama Canal Zone, where his father worked on the Gatun Locks.
Even at this early age,
G.G. assumed responsibility. He watched over and ran interference for his
younger brother.
G.G. did extremely well
at Cristobal High School, graduating as valedictorian, best athIete, and a
member of the Honor Society.
As a cadet, he continued
his outstanding work. Those who knew him best describe him as fun-loving with a
good sense of humor. This didn't stop him, however, from doing well both
academically, in which he vied for first in the class in Spanish, and in
leadership, in which he excelled. He was selected to be a lieutenant during
First Class year. While a cadet, he met and dated Shirley Schroers. On 28 Oct
1950, they married at St. Joseph, MO. The marriage lasted a lifetime and
resulted in two children - Wesley, an architect; and Temple, married to
an Army officer - plus 4 beloved grandchildren.
Parachute School was
next, followed by assignment to the 505th Airborne Infantry Regiment, 82d
Airborne Division, Ft. Bragg, Eighteen years later, he commanded a battalion of
the same regiment in Vietnam. Leaving Ft. Bragg, he was assigned to the 187th
Airborne RCT in Japan and Korea. There, he received his first Combat
Infantryman Badge. His commanding officer, later Army Chief of Staff,
remembered that G.G.'s work was of such high quality that he was selected as an
aide-de-camp.
Returning to the United
States, he was assigned to the Infantry School followed by a tour with the 3d
Infantry Regiment at Ft. Myer as Commander of the Honor Guard Company.
Subsequently, he had two Pentagon tours, was advisor in Ethiopia, commanded 3
battalions and was G-4 in the 82d Airborne Division, commanded the 8th
Division Spt Command in Europe, and was G-3 of XVIII Airborne Corps. He
was Chief of War Plans at FORSCOM and then returned to Ft. Bragg, where his
career began, to be President of the Airborne Board. He was a graduate of the
Command and General Staff College and the War College and received a Master of
Science from the University of Alabama.
G.G. was one of the most
decorated members of his class, receiving two Combat Infantryman Badges, 4
awards of the Legion of Merit, a Distinguished Flying Cross, 3 Bronze Stars, a
Meritorious Service Medal, 7 Air Medals, a Joint Service Commendation Medal,
and 7 Army Commendation Medals.
A mere recitation of his
assignments and decorations doesn't describe G.G.'s character. One general
officer put it this way, "G.G. combined a unique directness with an
equally unique dedication and earnestness to do what he believed was right for
the Army. And he never let anything, such as rank, interfere with those
motives."
In a briefing for this
officer, he began, "General, it is very important that you understand
this, so I'll keep it as simple as possible."
Another general
described him by saying, "G.G.Thomas was one of the most outstanding
officers, regardless of rank, that I have known. G.G. was a real professional
in every respect and a great human being. The Army is better today because of
G.G. Thomas."
G.G.’s commander in
Vietnam stated, "When my helicopter went down in enemy territory, G.G. was
at my side in minutes to take me to safety. He was always there when you needed
him and without asking."
Following retirement,
Shirley and G.G. moved to Bradenton, FL, where they became pillars of the
community. G.G. spent 14 years at the top level in the banking business. A
young banker said, "it is easy to climb the corporate ladder with people
like Mr. Thomas pushing you to the top."
He was a director of the
Kiwanis Club, a member of the Vestry and Senior Warden of the Episcopal Church,
and treasurer of the Bradenton Country Club. These later years provided time
for GG to enjoy his love of golfing, fishing, and family.
How do I sum up G.G.’S
life? I might point out that he always opted for the right way, not the easy
way. He was also compassionate. When the North Koreans released the American
POWs, G.G. met his classmates as they returned. On impulse, he gave his
original Combat Infantryman Badge to one of them.
He was incapable of
telling even a half-truth. To G.G., there was no shade of gray when it
came to integrity. It was either 100 percent accurate and true, or it was a damn
lie.
He was loyal and caring
to his family and friends. He genuinely loved people from all walks of life,
and they loved him in return.
At his memorial service,
the Priest said, "West Point forged a man of integrity and character, and
our nation has been blessed by one to whom 'Duty, Honor, Country' were more
than words, but a guiding light to live by.”
- Family and friends
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USMA 1950