William Garfield Thomas Jr. (September 13, 1916 - October 12, 1942) was born in Watsontown, Pennsylvania.

Naval career

He enlisted in the U.S. Naval Reserve at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, June 14. He was appointed

midshipman A midshipman is an officer of the lowest rank, in the Royal Navy, United States Navy, and many Commonwealth navies. Commonwealth countries which use the rank include Canada (Naval Cadet), Australia, Bangladesh, Namibia, New Zealand, South Afr ...

August 10, 1940, commissioned ensign November 14, 1940, and promoted to lieutenant (j.g.) June 15, 1942. He was serving on the light cruiser during the Battle of Cape Esperance. When his "turret was hit by enemy fire and danger of ... explosions grew increasingly imminent, Lt. (j.g.) ''Thomas'' with utter disregard of his own personal safety remained behind to ensure abandonment of the perilous area . . . Despite the fact that eight of his men succeeded in getting out and that he too might easily have escaped . . . Thomas when last seen was telephoning the handling room to order the crew out."

Awarded the Navy Cross

He was awarded the Navy Cross for giving up his life in the defense of his country.

Namesake

was named in his honor. The ship was laid down September 23, 1943 by the

Federal Shipbuilding & Dry Dock The Federal Shipbuilding and Drydock Company was a United States shipyard, active from 1917 to 1948. It was founded during World War I to build ships for the United States Shipping Board. During World War II, it built ships as part of the U.S. Gov ...

Co., Newark, New Jersey; launched December 12, 1943; sponsored by Lt. Betty K. Thomas, Nurse Corps, United States Army, sister of Lt. (j.g.)'' W. G. Thomas''; and, commissioned January 24, 1944. The Garfield Thomas Water Tunnel operated by the

Pennsylvania State University The Pennsylvania State University (Penn State or PSU) is a Public university, public Commonwealth System of Higher Education, state-related Land-grant university, land-grant research university with campuses and facilities throughout Pennsylvan ...

Applied Research Laboratory is named in his honor; completed on October 7, 1949.

References

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Garfield Thomas
Recipients of the Navy Cross (United States) United States Navy officers 1916 births 1942 deaths People from Northumberland County, Pennsylvania United States Navy personnel killed in World War II Military personnel from Pennsylvania {{US-navy-bio-stub