Alton Thomas, Jr. was born on August 28, 1946. His home of record is Penns Grove, NJ. His parents were Mr. and Mrs. Alton Thomas. He had a sister and two brothers. He was an athletic star at St. James Catholic High School.
He served in the US Marine Corps and attained the rank of Corporal (CPL). He enlisted in September of 1965.
Thomas was killed in action on March 9, 1968 by a land mine just 25 days before his scheduled return to the United States and discharge. In his last letter home he wrote, “The fighting is very bad, very brutal. I do not know if I will ever get back. I’ve seen a good many of my buddies.”
His obituary dated March 16, 1968 read:
“A South Jersey Marine who thought he would die in battle, was among the Vietnam casualties disclosed Friday. Marine Cpl. Alton Thomas, Jr., 21, son of Mr. and Mrs. Alton Thomas, 36 Lona Avenue, Penns Grove, NJ. Cpl. Thomas was killed March 9 by a land mine, just 25 days before his scheduled return to the United States and his discharge. Enlisted in 1965. An athletic star at St. James Catholic High School, Penns Grove, Cpl. Thomas enlisted in the Marines, September 1965. Surviving besides his parents are two brothers.”
Alton’s name appears on the Penns Grove High School Vietnam War Memorial, dedicated in September 2010, which stands near Penns Grove Middle School.
Source: NJVVMF, VVMF, Robert P. Boon.
12/17/2024
