Arthur S. Thomas

Arthur Sam Thomas (July 15, 1935 – January 19, 2001) was a Roman Catholic priest and the Chief of Chaplains of the United States Air Force from 1995 to 1997.

Arthur S. Thomas
Born(1935-07-15)July 15, 1935
Mankato, Minnesota
DiedJanuary 19, 2001(2001-01-19) (aged 65)
Washington, D.C.
Buried
Arlington National Cemetery
AllegianceUnited States of America
Service/branchUnited States Air Force
Years of service1955–1997
RankMajor General
Commands heldChief of Chaplains of the United States Air Force
AwardsLegion of Merit with oak leaf cluster, Meritorious Service Medal with silver oak leaf cluster, Air Force Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters others below

Biography

A native of Mankato, Minnesota, Thomas was an ordained Roman Catholic priest.[1] He was a graduate of Minnesota State University, Mankato and the Graduate Theological Union. In 1992, he was given the title of Monsignor by Pope John Paul II.

Career

Thomas originally joined the Minnesota National Guard in 1953 before joining the United States Air Force in 1955. His early years were spent as a Russian language specialist.

In 1982, he was named Senior Catholic Chaplain of the 86th Tactical Airlift Wing. He held that position until 1984, when he was assigned to Headquarters Tactical Air Command. From there, he was Command Chaplain of Air Force Logistics Command and Strategic Air Command before becoming Deputy Chief of Chaplains of the United States Air Force in 1991. He was promoted to Chief of Chaplains with the rank of Major General in 1995 and held the position until his retirement in 1997. Msgr. Thomas died suddenly of a heart attack on Friday, January 19, 2001 in Florida. He is buried at Arlington Cemetery in Section 2 Site E-287 RH.

Awards and military decorations
Badge Air Force Christian Chaplain Badge
1st Row Air Force Distinguished Service Medal
2nd row Legion of Merit with one bronze oak leaf cluster Meritorious Service Medal with four oak leaf clusters Air Force Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters
3rd Row Air Force Outstanding Unit Award Air Force Organizational Excellence Award with oak leaf cluster Army Good Conduct Medal
4th Row National Defense Service Medal with two bronze service stars Air Force Overseas Ribbon - Short with oak leaf cluster Air Force Overseas Ribbon - Long with oak leaf cluster
5th row Air Force Longevity Service Award Ribbon with silver and three bronze oak leaf clusters Air Force Longevity Service Award Ribbon (second ribbon to denote tenth award) Air Force Training Ribbon

He died of a heart attack in 2001, aged 65.[2]

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References
  1. "Chaplain (Major General) Arthur S. "Sam" Thomas"". United States Air Force. Retrieved 2011-10-03.
  2. http://www.arlingtoncemetery.net/asthomas.htm
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