Honoring Marion Ohio Veterans

Leroy Oswald Thomas was born 4 December 1920, in Cleveland, Ohio. He was the son of Warren S. Thomas & Frances Lee “Frankie” (Booth) Thomas. Leroy O. Thomas attended Marseilles High School and played basketball there. While in high school Thomas had an interest in flying. Thomas would go on to attend the Marion Business College. Prior to enlistment Thomas worked in State Tax office in Columbus, Ohio.
One of Leroy’s brothers, Paul would join the Army with him. Both brothers entering service at Fort Hayes, Columbus, Ohio. In 1942, Leroy would enter Aviator Cadet School. He would be reassigned to a Radio/Gunner school in South Dakota. He also would attend training in Barksdale, Louisiana, Texas, and McDill Air Force Base, Tampa, Florida. While in Florida he would be reunited with his brother, Paul. This would be the only time they would see each other throughout their service time.
A memory that brother, James Thomas would share of his brother shows the engineering talent of Leroy. James said, “I remember when I was young and Leroy took a red wagon and rigged up a pulley, belt and gasoline engine to power it. My younger brother, Don, and I would ride around with what may have been the only motorized child’s wagon of the day.”
Leroy would come home while on furlough. His younger brother recalls the time Leroy came home on furlough and after about 3 weeks, Leroy would receive a telegram to, “…report immediately back to base.”
On 5 June 1944, Leroy O. Thomas would report to his assignment in Polebrook, England. This was the home of the 508th Bomber Squadron, 351 AAF Bomb Group, Eighth Air Force. Thomas was assigned to the 508th Bomber Squadron. Leroy would take his first combat flight as a radio operator/gunner on 6 July 1944 and fly missions on 3 consecutive days.
Sgt. Leroy O. Thomas and his crew would participate in bombing runs over France, Belgium, and Germany. Among those missions they would bomb a V-2 installation.
While Sgt. Thomas and crew were aboard their B-17 (Flying Fortress), on a mission to bomb armament plants, they were shot down. This would be Sgt. Thomas’ 19th mission. The B-17, aircraft #4338139, was shot down over Mannheim, Germany, on 5 September 1944. Flak had knocked off a wing causing the plane to crash. Two crewmen were able to exit the aircraft and parachute to safety. The survivors were Rollins Mahoney, Jr., and George Anello. They were taken Prisoner of War. Lt. Mahoney would write to Thomas’ mother after the war.

Sgt. Leroy O. Thomas was listed as killed in action on 5 September 1944, Ludwigshafen am Rhein, Stadtkreis Ludwigshafen am Rhein, Rheinland-Pfalz, Germany. Sgt. Thomas’ remains would be repatriated in 1951. Thomas’ remains would be reinterred in the family plot in Chandler Cemetery, Marseilles, Ohio.
Leroy’s father, Warren S. Thomas, would be instrumental in changing the name of the Veterans Post 3313, in Marion, Ohio, to Geran-Thomas Post No. 3313, Veterans of Foreign Wars. Warren S. Thomas had served with D Company, 166th Infantry in World War One. He served there under Major George T. Geran, whom he highly respected. Thus, he and the Veterans Post 3313 were able to give respects and honor to both George T. Geran and Leroy O. Thomas. The VFW Post 3313 today has on display photos of both Geran and Thomas and also has on loan to them Sgt. Leroy O. Thomas’ Air Medal, Purple Heart and a Citation of Honor, signed by General Henry H. (Hap) Arnold.

The Marion Star dated 8-5-1948

VFW Post Changes Name To Honor Two Veterans
The Marion Veterans of Foreign Wars post, known for many years as Veterans Post No. 3313, has changed its name to Geran-Thomas Post No. 3313, Veterans of Foreign Wars. Two veterans of the two World Wars, the late Major George T. Geran, veteran of World War I, and Sgt. LeRoy O. Thomas, who was killed in action in World War II, were selected by members of the post to be honored in this way. A communication has been received from the national head quarters of the Veterans of Foreign Wars authorizing the Marion post to adopt the new name. In World War I George T. Geran, a member of the post, achieved his distinction while in military service. His death occurred Nov. 29, 1948, here. He was captain of Marion’s D Company, 166th Ohio Infantry in service on the Mexican border in 1914 and later in World War I. He was later promoted to major. Major Geran was a member of several other veterans organizations including Dyer J. Bird Chapter, Rainbow Division of Ohio, having served with this division, Bird-McGinnis Post No. 162, American Legion, having been one of the Paris founders of the American Legion, and also of Marion Voiture No. 48. 40 et 8. Sgt Thomas the son of Mr. and Mrs. Warren S. Thomas of 284 Latourette street gave his life in the service of his country during the European conflict. He was killed Sept. 5, 1944 when his Flying Fortress bomber was shot down by enemy anti-aircraft fire near Viernheim, Germany.

The crew of the B-17 (#4338139) on 5 September 1944, were:

Lt. William Wright, Pilot, Killed in Action (KIA).

2nd Lt. Robert Swanson, Co-Pilot, KIA.

2nd Lt. John Swenson, Navigator, KIA.

2nd Lt. Rollins Mahoney, Jr., Bombardier, Prisoner of War (POW).

SSgt. Andrew Bander, Top Turret Gunner, KIA.

Sgt. George Anello, Ball Turret Gunner, POW.

Sgt. Lewis Cain, Tail Gunner, KIA.

Sgt. Dick Hopper, Right Waist Gunner, KIA.

Sgt. Leroy Thomas, Radio Operator, KIA.

The Thomas family continued a tradition of military service. Paul Thomas would continue to serve and would be stationed during WWII in England, Belgium and France. He would be discharged in 1945. Paul Thomas passed away in 2017 at the age of 95. Leroy’s younger brothers, James Thomas, Donald E. Thomas and David C. Thomas would also proudly serve in the United States military.