Gerald Eustis Thomas facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Gerald Eustis Thomas
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Gerald Thomas pictured with Ronald Reagan in 1982
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| Born | June 23, 1929 Natick, Massachusetts, U.S. |
| Died | March 20, 2019 (aged 89) New Haven, Connecticut, U.S. |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Service/ |
United States Navy |
| Years of service | 1951–1981 |
| Rank | Rear Admiral |
| Commands held | USS Impervious (MSO-449) USS Bausell (DD-845) Commander Cruiser Destroyer Group Nine Commander Cruiser Destroyer Group Five |
| Battles/wars | Vietnam War |
| Awards | Navy Commendation Medal with Combat V Meritorious Service Medal |
Gerald Eustis Thomas (June 23, 1929 – March 20, 2019) was an American naval officer, diplomat, and professor. He made history as the second African American to become a Rear Admiral in the U.S. Navy.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Gerald Thomas was born in Natick, Massachusetts, in 1929. He went to Natick High School. After high school, he studied at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln for a year. Later, he transferred to Harvard University. In 1951, he earned a degree from Harvard in biochemical sciences.
While at Harvard, Gerald Thomas was part of the Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps. This program prepares college students to become officers in the Navy. After graduating in 1951, he officially joined the Navy as an ensign. His first assignment was on the ship USS Newman K. Perry (DDR-883), where he served for three years.
Learning Languages and Intelligence
In 1954, Thomas moved to the ship USS Worcester (CL-144). He also attended a special school in Boston. Later, he learned to speak Russian at the Defense Language Institute. He became an interpreter in 1957. After that, he worked at the National Security Agency (NSA) in Fort Meade, Maryland. The NSA is a U.S. government agency that handles global communications and intelligence.
Leading Ships and Squadrons
In 1960, Thomas became the executive officer (second-in-command) of USS Lowe (DER-325). Two years later, in 1962, he got his first command: the ship USS Impervious (MSO-449). He then worked at the Bureau of Naval Personnel, helping with college training programs. In 1965, he attended the Naval War College and was recognized as a top graduate.
Serving in the Vietnam War
In August 1966, Thomas took command of USS Bausell (DD-845). He served actively during the Vietnam War. For his excellent service, he received the Navy Commendation Medal with a Combat V (which means he showed bravery in combat). After his time at sea, he became an executive officer for a Navy ROTC unit in Texas. There, he was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal.
Becoming a Rear Admiral
In 1973, he commanded Destroyer Squadron 9. In November 1974, Gerald Thomas was promoted to Rear Admiral. This was a very important moment, as he was only the second African American to reach this high rank in the U.S. Navy. The first was Admiral Samuel L. Gravely, Jr..
After his promotion, he commanded Destroyer Squadron 5. He also worked at the U.S. Department of Defense, dealing with international security. From 1978 until his retirement in 1981, he was a senior rear admiral with the U.S. Pacific Fleet.
Diplomatic Missions
After his Navy career, Gerald Thomas became a diplomat. In 1981, President Ronald Reagan appointed him as the United States Ambassador to Guyana. He served in Guyana until 1983. A month later, he was appointed Ambassador to Kenya. He continued his diplomatic service in Kenya until 1989.
A Life in Academia
Gerald Thomas was always dedicated to learning. He earned a master's degree from George Washington University in 1966. In 1973, he received his Ph.D. (a high-level university degree) in diplomatic history from Yale University.
After his time as an ambassador, he joined the faculty at Yale. He taught in the African-American Studies program and the history department. His strong connections with his students led to him being chosen as the Master of Davenport College in 1991. He held this important role for 10 years before retiring in 2001.
Gerald Thomas was also a member of the Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity.
Personal Life
Gerald Thomas was married to Rhoda (née Henderson). They had two sons and a daughter. He passed away on March 20, 2019, in New Haven, Connecticut, at the age of 89.
