The Key West Citizen

Lieut. Thomas
Ordered To Duty
As ASW Officer

Lt. Gardner Thomas Jr. of Marion, Indiana has recently been detached as an Anti-Submarine Warfare Tactical Instructor at the U.S. Fleet Sonar School, Key West and ordered to report to Commander Destroyer Flotilla One as ASW Staff Officer.

Prior to graduating from the U.S. Naval Academy, Annapolis, Maryland in 1942, Lt. Thomas attended Marion High School, Marion, Indiana, Severn School, Severna Park, Maryland, and Kenyon College, Gambier, Ohio. While at the Academy, he participated in wrestling and golf.

After serving aboard the USS MacLeish (DD-220) as Communications, Engineering, and Gunnery Officer, Lt. Thomas helped commission the USS DeHaven (DD 727) and served aboard her as First Lieutenant and Damage Control Officer. As Gunnery Officer aboard the DeHaven, he participated in the campaigns against the Philippines, Iwo Jima, Okinawa, and Japan.

In 1945 Lt. Thomas assumed duties as Executive Officer of the USS Samuel N. Moore (DD 747) which was assigned to the coastal blockade of Korea. Prior to reporting to the U.S. Fleet Sonar School he was Commanding Officer of the USS LSMR 401, and received a letter of commendation when this ship was awarded the Navy "E" in 1949.

Lt. Thomas is authorized to wear the Commendation ribbon, American Defense ribbon with one star, American area ribbon, European-African area ribbon with one star, Asiatic-Pacific area ribbon with five stars, Philippine Liberation ribbon with one star, Philippine Independence ribbon, Navy Occupation ribbon, China Service ribbon, and the World War II Victory medal ribbon.

The son of Mr. and Mrs. Gardner J. Thomas of Quarry Road, Marion, Indiana, Lt. Thomas is married to the former Miss Maxine Smith of 284 Islington Road, Auburndale, Massachusetts. They have two sons: David, age 4, and Gardner III, age 2.

The Thomas's have been living at 2-2 Poinciana Place, Key West, Florida.