William Neal Thomas

West Point, 1951

Be Thou At Peace

Posted by J. A. "Andy" Chacon on December 29, 2011:

William Neal Thomas Born August 13, 1927 -- Died December 15, 2011 William Neal "Bill" Thomas was born in Roanoke, Virginia on 13 August 1927 and was appointed to West Point from the 6th Congressional District. His West Point classmates recall: "`Why are all the plebes quaking?' Because Bill Thomas is in the area, of course. Bill displayed talents in many other fields, however. He was accomplished at keeping the Academic and Tactical Departments at bay, and was a fencer of very considerable note. Beautiful femmes and the Field Artillery are Bill's aim in life, and after graduation he hopes to pursue both with equal vigor." During his cadet days Bill went out for Fencing all four years; was with the German Club yearling, cow and first class years; was with the Chess Club plebe year; with the Skeet, and Ski Clubs cow and first class years; and was a Cadet Lieutenant his first class year. Upon graduation Bill did indeed go in the Artillery and after completing the Basic Artillery Course at Fort Sill, Oklahoma served with the 469th and 264th Field Artillery Battalions from 1951 to 1957 serving as Battery Commander with the latter. In 1962 Bill attended the Command and General Staff College, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas and was then assigned to Military Assistance Advisory Group, Republic of Vietnam where he served from 1962 to 1963 and was decorated with the Bronze Star Medal for distinguished heroism against an enemy on completion of this tour. In 1964 Bill earned a Master of Science degree from Purdue University and was then assigned to the Military Psychology and Leadership Department at USMA where he served until 1967 and was awarded the Commendation Medal for distinguished service. In 1967 Bill was named Battalion Commander with the 14th Artillery where he served until 1968 and was awarded the Legion of Merit for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services. In 1968 Bill attended the Foreign Service Institute and then was assigned as Senior Provincial Advisor Republic of Vietnam where he served as such from 1969 to 1971. Bill was decorated with two Distinguished Flying Crosses for distinguished heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight; the Soldier's Medal for Distinguished heroism not involving conflict with an enemy; two Bronze Star Medals for distinguished heroism against an enemy, one for valor; four Air Medal for valor, for meritorious achievement beyond that normally expected, while participating in aerial flight; thirteen regular Air Medals for meritorious achievement beyond that normally expected, while participating in aerial flight; the Commendation Medal for valor for distinguished service; and the Combat Infantryman Badge. Next Bill was assigned to the Joint Staff in the Office of the J5 from 1971 to 1972 and was awarded the Joint Service Commendation Medal on completion of this tour. Next Bill was selected to attend the Industrial College of the Armed Forces, with this writer, and he earned a Master of Science degree in Administration as well from George Washington University. In 1974 Bill went with the Defense Language Institute, Monterey, California and then was assigned as Chief of the United States Liaison Office in Tunisia. Next Bill went with the Office Assistant Secretary of Defense, International Security Affairs, Iran. This was Bill's last military assignment as he retired from the United States Army as a Colonel in 1977 and was awarded the Legion of Merit for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services on his retirement. Since retirement Bill has continued to serve first as Acting Director of International Sales with E Systems Inc. in 1977; then as Senior Associate with Academy Management Associates from 1984 to 1986; then as Securities and Insurance Representative with USLICO from 1986 to 1990. Bill was elected to the Texas State House of Representatives in 1989 and served in the Legislature until 1993, then from he was named as Executive Director of the Board of Development and served until 1994 when he was appointed Adjunct Professor at East Texas State University where he served until 1995 when he was appointed as Professor at Paris Junior College where he continues to serve as such. Bill and his wife Mitzi made their home in Greenville, Texas. Bill adds on 9-26-04, "Sir, the Days! Sir, today is 26 September - This is My Day! Last month on Friday the 13th I had a birthday. I became 25 (celsious) - Hey, that's only 11 in dog years. Anyway, it seems the "G" is slowly dropping off the "Golden Years". I'm beginning to suffer from the three "A" s: Arthritis - Aging - and - uh - uh-uh >(you know!). I did have to have a stent inserted, but the Doctor gave me a lifetime warranty on it. Otherwise things are going well for Mitzi and me. We are still in Greenville, Texas, where we moved when I retired from DOD in '77 to take employment with E-Systems as Director of International Marketing. The Company was primarily involved in Air Force electronic surveillance and also had the contract for modifying and periodically upgrading AF-1 (the President's Air craft). Following that I got involved in politics and was elected as the first republican to represent our county in the State Legislature since reconstruction. Then I taught Government at East Texas State University and then US Government, Texas Government and Psychology at our local branch of Paris Junior College. Since then Mitzi and I are serving on a number of Committees such as Board of Development, Cultural Diversity, Audie Murphy/ American Cotton Museum, Church Vestry, Rotary Int'l Svc. Our chief interest has been our family. Our four daughters have blessed us with six granddaughters, and six grandsons (they aren't cheaper by the dozen). They are scattered in the east from Massachusets, to Kentucky, North Carolina, and Florida. But Mitzi came up with the idea of CIA (Christmas In August) when we gather every 2 years. This year we rented a large house on Ocean Isle Beach NC. "Alex" came through one night only with a little rain and lightening. "Charley" and "Frances" were after we left, but our rental house we own at Cape Coral FL received only light damage. Have a Good Day, everyone."

admin