David M. Thomas (US Navy)

Infobox Military Person
name = David M. Thomas


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branch = United States Navy
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rank = Rear Admiral
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commands = JTF-GTMO
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David M. Thomas is an officer in the United States Navy.cite news
url=http://www.miamiherald.com/519/story/548860.html
title='9/11 hero' takes over prison camp
page=
pages=
publisher=Miami Herald
author=Carol Rosenberg
date=May 28 2008
accessdate=2008-05-28
quote= [http://www.webcitation.org/query?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.miamiherald.com%2F519%2Fstory%2F548860.html&date=2008-05-28 mirror] ]

Early life

Thomas's father was a career Navy officer.cite news
url=http://www.miamiherald.com/1060/story/549245.html
title=About Navy Rear Adm. David M. Thomas
publisher=Miami Herald
author=
date=May 28 2008
accessdate=2008-05-28
quote=

His two uncles were Navy officers via ROTC programs. [http://www.webcitation.org/query?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.miamiherald.com%2F1060%2Fstory%2F549245.html&date=2008-05-28 mirror] ] Thomas, and three of his brothers, are graduates of the United States Naval Academy. All are active duty, including one in the Marine Corps. Another brother served in the Peace Corps.Thomas graduated in 1981.His wife is also a Naval officer.

Navy career

In 1999 Thomas commanded the destroyer USS "Ross". He has served aboard the
USS Shreveport",
USS "Esotcin",
USS "Willamette" and the USS "Leyte Gulf"

9-11 rescue efforts

Captain David Thomas was serving in the Pentagon on September 11, 2001, when al Qaeda hijackers crashed a passenger jet into it, causing an explosion, fire, and consequent injuries and loss of life.Thomas was one of the people who spontaneously volunteered to enter the damaged part of the building to rescue survivors.When asked about his rescue efforts on September 11th, Thomas replied:

His fire-damaged uniform now hangs in the Smithsonian's American History gallery.

8th Commandant of Joint Task Force Guantanamo

On May 27 2008 Rear Admiral David Thomas replaced Rear Admiral Mark Buzby to become the 8th Commandant of Joint Task Force Guantanamo, and the Guantanamo Bay detention camp.

Thomas has announced that, unlike some of his predecessors, he will not be conducting regular visits to the captive area of the facility, and has no plans to have any contact with the captives.

References