Colonel Thomas J. Freaney, Jr., USAF (Ret.) at the beginning of World War II, was among the first group of officer/pilots assigned to the Army Air Corps' Central Instructors School at Randolph Field, Texas. Their mission was to train pilots to become instructor pilots for all aviation cadets at Advanced Single Engine Flying Schools throughout the United States. The Central Instructors School graduated a flying class every thirty days.
Among his medals are the Air Force and Joint Services Commendation Medals, the Vietnam Air Force Medal, the Bronze Star and the Legion of Merit.