John W. Thomas

Colonel John Wallace Thomas was commissioned an Aviation Officer upon graduation from Officer Candidate School 2 August 1951, Class number 1. His first duty assignment was as Platoon Leader, 169th Infantry, Europe. | His subsequent duty assignment include: Platoon Leader, 102nd Infantry, Europe; Arm Aviator, 1st Armored Division, Fort Hood, Texas; Platoon Leader, 33rd Transportation Company, Fort Riley, Kansas; Executive Officer, 6th Transportation Company, Korea; Operations Officer and Commanding Officer, 65th Transportation Company, Fort Eustis, Virginia; Company Commander, 88th Transportation Company, Fort Eustis, Virginia; Executive Officer, 57th Transportation Company, Vietnam; Chief, Flight Operations, Army Aviation Materiel Command, St. Louis, Missouri; CH47 Project Manager Liaison Officer, Army Aviation Materiel Command, St. Louis, Missouri; Director, Chinook Field Officer, St. Louis Missourii; Program Control Officer, Army Aviation Material Command St. Louis, Missouri; Commander, 55th Maintenance Battalion, Korea; Commander, 194th Maintenance Battalion, Korea; Plans Officer, DCSLOG, Headquarters USAEPAC, Hawaii. | His awards and decorations include: Expert Infantryman Badge, Master Army Aviator Badge, Vietnam Service Medal (4 Battle Stars), Army Commendation Medal (1 Oak Leaf Cluster), Air Medal (5 Oak Leaf Clusters), Meritorious Service Medal, Distinguished Flying Cross (1 Oak Leaf Cluster).