Thomas Frank Hornby was born in Kearny, New Jersey on November 11, 1944 (Armistice Day). His parents were Mr. and Mrs. Louis Hornby. Thomas had a brother, Louis, and a sister, Dorothy. Thomas attended local Kearny public schools – Roosevelt Elementary and Lincoln Middle School. He graduated from Kearny High School (KHS) in June 1962 and was on both the KHS track and football teams.
After high school graduation, Thomas worked as a bank teller at the First National Bank of Kearny. During that time, a President John F. Kennedy speech to the nation during the Cuban Missile Crisis inspired him to consider a military career. Thomas initially enlisted with the US Navy before a service switch to the United States Marine Corps. He went to Parris Island, South Carolina for basic training in November 1962 and completed his training on February 27, 1962. Corporal Hornby’s military assignments took him to Marine Corps bases in Washington DC, Quantico, VA and Camp Lejeune, NC.
Corporal Hornby married Ms. Susan Baker of Chester, NJ on August 16, 1965,while home on furlough. His last visit home to New Jersey was in January of1966.
Corporal Hornby deployed to Vietnam on March 11, 1966, as a member of F Company, 2nd Battalion, 9th Marines, 3rd Marine Division (Reinforced) Fleet Marine Force. Corporal Hornby was specifically assigned duties as a 60 MM mortar squad leader within his unit, which was detailed to the Da Nang Air Base.
Corporal Hornby was killed in action on March 18, 1966 (after only 1 week within Vietnam) while on a search-and-destroy mission resulting in an enemy engagement with the Viet Cong just 8 miles south of Da Nang. An Operations Summary report recorded the company having received both 60mm and81mm incoming mortar rounds resulting in the death of Corporal Hornby from fragmentation wounds, as well as taking numerous other company casualties.
Corporal Hornby was 21 years old at the time of his death and had served almost 3.5 years in the Marine Corps. Corporal Hornby was buried at the First Presbyterian Church Cemetery in Succasunna, New Jersey.
Corporal Hornby’s decorations and awards include the following: Purple Heart Medal; Republic of Vietnam Military Merit Medal; Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Unit Citation Badge; Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with one Bronze Service Star; National Defense Service Medal; Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal with 1960 Device. In addition to the New Jersey Vietnam Veterans Memorial, Corporal Hornby is also honored at the Kearny Vietnam Memorial in Kearny’s Memorial Park.
Sources: Various websites, Kearny High School, Ron Woods, and NJVVMF.
12/17/2024 (Updated 3/31/2025)
