"Leo Tarlton Thomas, Jr"
"Leo"
d 1971
Service
United States Air Force
Highest Rank
Captain
Years of Service
8
Combat
Yes
Biography as of Oct 29, 2013
Hailing from Georgetown, KY, Leo's high school activities included football, baseball, basketball, track, and tennis, National Honor Society, and being Key Club President. He lettered 17 times in the 5 sports and earned All-State honors in football and basketball.
Leo was on the Commandant's List most semesters at the Academy as well as playing football and being a squadron commander. After graduation, he went to UPT at Craig AFB, AL, then stayed on as an instructor for five years. In 1969 he and Bob Venkus joined up for F-105 training at McConnell AFB, then were off to Takhli for a full tour as F-105 Wild Weasels. By August 1971 Leo was back in SEA, this time in F-4s at Udorn with the 555th TFS. He also served as Wing Exec.
On 19 December 1971 Leo was scheduled for a routine mission over northern Laos. He was taking a young navigator on his first combat mission. According to Joe Lee Burns, the flight line was astir that morning organizing cover for a SAR for another F-4 crew shot down overnight. Leo headed off to help save the lives of others. His F-4 was shot down as he attacked an antiaircraft artillery (AAA) site near the attempted rescue.
The FAC followed Leo's plane down and saw no ejections before the crash. Leo's friends went back that afternoon and destroyed the AAA site while it was firing.
"I think of Leo and the others often and wonder why I am approaching 60 years of age and they were so young." Peyton J. Dudley, 555th TFS
"I have visited his name at the Wall in DC several times. Leo was a fine man and an excellent pilot. He has not been forgotten." Roy J Spencer, Jr.
I've often taught writers you can reveal character through what others in the story say about the person - especially when readers have confidence in the credibility of that other person. Thus, I'll share parts of a 1998 email from USAF icon, Colonel Joe Kittinger, Commander, 555th Tactical Fighter Squadron at Udorn in December 1971.
"Leo was one of the best fighter pilots and gentlemen that I ever knew. He was assigned to my squadron, the 555 TFS. He and I flew together quite frequently on many combat missions in Vietnam. . . .
"Leo was one of the most popular young officers at Udorn. He had a tremendous sense of humor and was respected by his peers and senior officers. He was the kind of officer and pilot that every senior officer wanted on his team because he was such a great person and officer. . . .
"When I could, I always had him on my wing. We were a great team together, and when we went up north I always would try to have Leo assigned to my flight. . . .
"In my three combat tours in Vietnam I lost many great friends and aviators-but losing Leo was one of the hardest and most difficult ones for me to accept because he was so special and such a good friend. . . . The USAFA should be proud of such a gallant Warrior, Gentleman and American. He brought great credit to that institution.
Leo was special." Colonel Joe Kittinger, Commander, 555th TFS