PFC William Anthony (Tony) Thomas
In March 1966, PFC William Anthony (Tony) Thomas was trapped along with other soldiers from the 1st Cavalry Division in an unnamed valley in Binh Dinh Province, Vietnam. They were surrounded by the Viet Cong.
Tony’s brother, PFC L. V. Thomas, Jr., was also in the 1st Cavalry Division, 1st Squadron, 9th Cavalry, B Troop. L. V. served as Light Weapons Infantry and was a paratrooper. During the Operation Masher/White Wing, UH-1D Helicopters were used to rescue infantrymen trapped behind enemy lines dozens of times.
L. V. was manning the door gun on the Huey helicopter that was dispatched to pick up his little brother, Tony.
Tony made it home safely, unharmed. L. V. did not.
The Viet Cong shot down the Huey L. V. was riding in. All eight soldiers on board were lost, declared dead on March 30, 1966. L. V. was 23 years old.
PFC L. V. Thomas was born on December 16, 1942, in Amarillo. He graduated from Palo Duro High School and attended Amarillo College for 1½ years before enlisting in the Army on October 26, 1964. PFC Thomas also served in the Dominican Republic during civil unrest in that country.
A memorial service was held for PFC Thomas in the Palo Duro High School Auditorium on November 10, 1966. Superintendent of AISD Bob Ashworth, Amarillo Mayor F. V. Wallace, and Palo Duro High School Principal W. W. Nicklaus presented a plaque to L. V.’s mother in appreciation of her son’s service for his country.
Operation Masher/White Wing lasted 41 days, ending on March 6, 1966 as a U.S. military success. Unfortunately, American losses included 834 wounded and 228 killed in action. It is an honor to remember PFC L. V. Thomas, Jr. as one of the courageous soldiers who gave his life not only for his country, but for his brother. Texas Panhandle War Memorial will do our best to make certain that PFC Thomas’ sacrifice is never forgotten.
