1st Lt. Cecil Bryson Thomas Jr.
US Army Field Artillery WWII

Born in Pike County Indiana October 29, 1919, Officer candidate Thomas was commissioned in 1942 at Ft. Sill Oklahoma prior to assignment to Bowie Field Texas. 2nd Lt. Thomas trained in light reconnaissance aircraft to be an artillery spotter for the European Theater during WWII. He served with the 39th Field Artillery Service Battery in North Africa, Italy, France and Germany. During his tenure, he was awarded the Purple Heart, the Silver Star for bravery under fire and the Croix du Guerre. After his discharge at the close of WWII Europe, 1st Lt. Thomas continued his love for flying as a civilian with his own Super Cub in southern Indiana where he was also a school teacher. Yielding to the call of adventure in 1955, Mr. Thomas moved with his wife and two sons to Juneau, Alaska where he continued to teach and flew as a “bush pilot” until his death on October 29, 1969. He is interred in the Veterans section of Evergreen Cemetery at Juneau.