Killed While On His 24th Mission

Aerial Gunner T. Sgt. John Hurley Thomas

Thomas, Reported Missing, Then Killed

Technical Sergeant John Hurley Thomas, Jr., reported missing in action on April 27, 1944, between the French and Belgium border has been reported killed on that date. His wife, Mrs. Hazel G. Thomas, was presented with his air medal and three oak-leaf clusters at a ceremony at Morris Field last Tuesday, and Thursday she received a telegram from the war department.

Sgt Thomas was 24 years old, finished Wingate High School, and was an employee of the Piedmont Fire Insurance Company in Charlotte before entering the service September 23,1942. He was trained as First Aerial Engineer-Gunner on a Flying Fortress, and was sent overseas Dec. 1, 1943, and stationed with the Eight Air Force in England.

Sgt. Thomas was on his 24th mission, and the holder of the air medal and three oak-leaf clusters for meritorious achievment over occupied Europe.

Surviving are his wife, the former Miss Hazel Grantland, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. W.C. Grantland of Monroe, and seven months old son, John H. Thomas the 3rd, whom he had never seen; his mother, Mrs. O.W. Jenkins, and sister, Mrs. Richard Ross, of Charlotte, and a brother, Staff Sgt. Harry B. Thomas, now in Memphis in a hospital recuperating from wounds received in Germany where he was fighting with the infantry. A half-brother, Talmage Clinton Jenkins, Seaman I/C, U.S. Navy, son of Mr. O.W. Jenkins, lost his life in September when the destroyer, Warrenton, went down in the hurricane which swept the Atlantic coast.

Mr. and Mrs. Jenkins and family lived in Monroe prior to moving to Charlotte, and Mr. Jenkins is connected with the Helms Transfer Company.


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