VC-35/VA(AW)-35 |
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Dedication ceremonies on board the USS Yorktown (CV-10) on 15 November 2002
featured the addition of 5 veteran Composite Squadron 35 aircrewman to the Enlisted Combat Aircrewman Roll of Honor.
These veterans joined other Navy, Marine and Coast Guard airman in World War II, the Korean War or the Vietnam War having their names added to this prestigious Roll of Honor.
Among those inducted in 2002 was Thomas L.Thomson of VAN Team 8 on board the USS Essex. Thomas (TL) joined the Navy on May 16, 1948 and was the youngest aviation electronic's instructor at age 18 to teach at NATTC Memphis. During his tenure as instructor, he taught airborne communications gear circuitry to 25 new students every two weeks during the latter part of 1948 thru August 1950. While stationed at Memphis TL received a special commendation for explaining how osilloscopes were used to troubleshoot airborne electronics along with how cathode ray guns work much like TV sets. Thomas as the leading drummer in the NATTC volunteer band led the Cotton Carnival three years running and managed their nationally recognized swim team. TL joined VC-35 on September 24, 1950 and departed the squadron on November 20, 1952. He survived a number of close calls while on Night Heckler missions Korea in 1951 and 1952. VAN Team 8 deployed on the USS Essex, from June 26, 1951 to March 25, 1952.On his tenth mission, flying with LTJG Hessom, their AD-4NL took a hit from an enemy 37 mm round over Wonson Harbor. The round missed a main spar, fuel tank, a napalm bomb and Thomson by inches. Thomas again escaped death on his last mission over Majon Ni, when they flew "into a night filled with enough antiaircraft fire to sink the Queen Elizabeth II." |
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