Charles E. Thomas, Jr. - 1914

After completing training at the University of Texas and Camp Dick, he earned his commission as a second lieutenant in August 1918. He quickly moved into instructional and technical roles, serving as a flying instructor at several Texas fields and later completing aeronautical engineering training at Kelly Field.

Throughout the 1920s and 1930s, Thomas held a series of increasingly responsible supply, engineering, and operations posts in the United States and overseas, including assignments in the Philippines and California. He was a graduate of the Army Industrial College, the Air Corps Tactical School, and the Army War College, and later served as an instructor at Maxwell Field.

During World War II, Thomas commanded major air depot operations, including Warner Robins, and later served in senior operational leadership roles in the Pacific theater. After the war, he held key commands and advisory posts in the United States, China, and Japan, and became inspector general of Continental Air Command.

General Thomas was awarded the Legion of Merit with oak leaf cluster and was rated as a command pilot, combat observer, and aircraft observer.