Colonel Thomas L. Kerley was commissioned an Infantry Officer upon graduation from Officer Candidate School Class 32-42, 11 July 1942. He held a series of progressive responsible line and staff positions, varying from highly technical to predominately managerial. He commanded Troops for Infantry units to include platoon company, battalion and support units, including Ordance, Signal, Engineer and Quartermaster personnel, as well as Civil Service and Contract Civilians. He held staff positions in Administratiuon and Personnel at the battalion level, training at Corps level and logistics at Division, Department of the Army and Joint Chiefs of Staff level. | Colonel Kerley served in combat operatons as Advisor to Chinese Infantry Battalions and Korean Infantry Regiment and Division. He also served in CONUS as Advisor/Instructor to a U.S. National Guard Infantry Battalion and Regiment. | Colonel Kerley's awards and decorations include: the Silver Star, the Legion of Merit, two Bronze Star Medals, three army Commendaiton Medals, two Combat Infantryman Badges, the Korean Ulchi Distinguished Military Service Medal, The Joint Chiefs of Staff Identificaiton Badge and the Army General Staff Identification Badge. | In addition, he was awarded a Certificate of Proficiency and designated Logistician, U.S. Army on 27 February 1964 in recognition of progressive advancement through years of experience and outstanding performance of duty in the logistics field.