Charles W. Thomas (Captain)

Charles W. Thomas (Captain)
Born	Charles ("Tommy") W. Thomas September 3, 1903(1903-09-03) Pasadena, California, United States
Died	March 3, 1973(1973-03-03) (aged 69) Ushuaia, Tierra del Fuego, Argentina
Occupation	U.S. Coast Guard officer
Spouse	Magnella Jensen (1903-1966) 1 child

Charles Ward "Tommy" Thomas was a flag officer in the United States Coast Guard and commanding officer of the icebreakers USCGC Northland (WPG-49) and USCGC Eastwind (WAGB-279) that served in the Greenland Patrol during World War II. In August 1945 he was appointed Commander, Greenland Patrol. After the war he was commanding officer of USCGC Northwind (WAGB-282) during Operation Highjump; The United States Navy Antarctic Developments Project 1946–1947, also known as the Fourth Byrd Antarctic Expedition.^[1] Later followed expeditions in the Bering Sea.

All these adventures Captain Thomas described in his book from 1951 "Ice Is Where You Find It" ^[2]

Admiral Thomas appeared in the United States Navy documentary film The Secret Land, produced in 1948. The film won an Academy Award in its category in 1948.

Later in his career he rose to the rank of Rear Admiral.^[3]

Personal life

Charles Ward Thomas was born in Pasadena, California 3 September 1903; he was graduated from Fairhaven High School in Bellingham, Washington and attended Western College of Education in the same city. He served nearly two years in the Washington National Guard.^[4]

During World War II he met a young Danish nurse, Miss Anna Magnella Jensen of Ivigtût, Greenland. The couple were married and had a daughter, Trina Anne Thomas, born in April 1952, and a son, Charles Ward Thomas, Jr, who served in the United States Army.^[5]

U.S. Coast Guard Career

He was admitted to the United States Coast Guard Academy in New London, Connecticut and appointed as a cadet in July 1922. He was graduated from the United States Coast Guard Academy on 24 October 1924 and commissioned as Ensign, United States Coast Guard. He was promoted to Lieutenant (Junior Grade) on 24 October 1926, and to Lieutenant on 24 October 1928. On 24 October 1932 he was promoted to Lieutenant Commander, and to Commander on 17 July 1942. On 1 June 1943 he was promoted to Captain, and retired as Rear Admiral 1 November 1957 in Washington State.^[6]

Death

Admiral Thomas was killed by a speeding car as he was crossing a street while on holiday in Ushuaia, Tierra del Fuego, Argentina on 3 March 1973. Admiral Thomas was sixty-nine years old at the time of his death. News of Admiral Thomas' untimely death was announced to the fleet by ADM Chester R. Bender, Commandant of the Coast Guard shortly thereafter. The Commandant noted "with deepest sorrow" the loss of a "true friend and shipmate", an "outstanding icebreaker sailor", and a "benevolent skipper".

References

1. ^ http://www.uscg.mil/history/people/Flags/ThomasCBio.pdf
2. ^ "Ice Is Where You Find It", Captain Charles W. Thomas, USCG, The Bobbs-Merrill Company Inc. 1951
3. ^ http://pubs.aina.ucalgary.ca/arctic/Arctic20-1-60b.pdf
4. ^ U.S. Department of Homeland Security. United States Coast Guard Historian's Office.http://www.uscg.mil/history/default.asp<
5. ^ U.S. Department of Homeland Security. United States Coast Guard Historian's Office.http://www.uscg.mil/history/default.asp<
6. ^ U.S. Department of Homeland Security. United States Coast Guard Historian's Office.http://www.uscg.mil/history/default.asp<

http://www.uscg.mil/history/people/Flags/ThomasCBio.pdf

External links

• Charles W. Thomas (Captain) at the Internet Movie Database
• The Secret Land at the Internet Movie Database
• [1] The Secret Land 1948, U.S. Navy documentary film of Operation Highjump, with extensive Northwind footage, and views of CAPT Thomas.

Persondata
Name	Thomas, Charles W.
Alternative names
Short description
Date of birth	1903-09-03
Place of birth	Pasadena, California, United States
Date of death	1973-03-03
Place of death	Ushuaia, Tierra del Fuego, Argentina