Thomas J. Gary
Somerville, Burleson County, Texas
Marker Inscription
Born on Sept. 16, 1922, in Texas City, Thomas J. Gary, Jr., attended Somerville Junior High in the 1930s. He returned to Texas City and, in 1940, at age 18, enlisted in the U.S. Navy. A Seaman Second Class, Gary was assigned to the USS California, flagship for the Pacific fleet. Stationed at Hawaii, the ship came under attack at Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941, and Gary Gave his life to rescue several crewmates. Listed as buried at sea, he was honored for his bravery with the Purple Heart, the Bronze Star and a Navy Citation. The Navy also named two ships for him, including The USS Thomas Jj. Gary (de/der-326), a destroyer escort that served around the world from 1943-1973. (2002)
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
Born in 1922 and schooled in Somerville, Thomas J. Gary, Jr., enlisted in the U.S. Navy at eighteen and was assigned to the USS California, flagship of the Pacific Fleet. When Japanese planes struck Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, Gary gave his life rescuing several crewmates and was lost at sea. Honored with the Purple Heart, Bronze Star, and a Navy Citation, he had two ships named for him, including the destroyer escort USS Thomas J. Gary.
Why it matters
Gary's sacrifice at Pearl Harbor represents the young Americans whose courage on the day that drew the nation into World War II is still honored generations later.
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Related people
- · Thomas J. Gary, Jr.
Related events
- · Attack on Pearl Harbor
Themes & tags
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