Thomas P. Krohn, Hazleton, PA
USAF ’64-'68

A native of Hazleton, PA and an avid ham radio operator (K3IJ), Thomas P. Krohn enlisted in the US Air Force on December 28, 1964. He reported to basic training at Lackland AFB in San Antonio, TX and went on to Hamilton AFB in the spring of 1965, where he furthered the electronics training he had prior to service. He became a ground radio repairman, repairing heavy ground radios while in California.

He was assigned to Clark AFB in the Philippines in October 1966 and served there until December of 1967, when he received temporary duty tours at Nahkon Phanom RTAFB (November 1966 to May 1967) and Tahkli RTAFB (July 1967 to October 1967). While stationed in Thailand and the Philippines, he repaired control tower radios. During his time of overseas duty, Airman Krohn particularly enjoyed the opportunities he had to fly in a C-130, a C-47, a Huey chopper, and an old de Havilland Beaver that flew along rice patties to remote outposts, taking off and landing on grass fields. He also welcomed the chance to see other countries, meeting the local peoples and experiencing some of their customs.

In December of 1967, Thomas P. Krohn returned to McDill AFB in Tampa, FL where he spent the remainder of his service and was honorably discharged in October of 1968 at the rank of Staff Sergeant.

Following discharge, he returned home to Hazleton. He married Sara Michael in 1969, had two children, and eventually several grandchildren. He went on to have a long career as an electronics technician performing radio and communications systems repair on the Pennsylvania Turnpike for over 30 years before retiring in 2005.