WWII

West Harris Thomas

Rate / Rank
S Sergeant

Birthdate
September 9 1922

Date of Death
October 20 1994

Branch
US Army

Active Duty Service
January 20 1943 - November 16 1945

Conflicts & Campaigns

Pacific Theater of Operations October 16, 1943 - November 30, 1946

Significant Duty Stations

Inducted; Fort McPherson, Georgia.
Sub Detachment 4, Medical Detachment VI

Decorations & Citations

Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal
Good Conduct Medal; World War II Victory Medal
Marksman (rifle and pistol)

Notes

US Army service number 34-685-135. Born; Cairo, Georgia. Graduated from Cairo High School Class of 1939. Home of record; 508 4th Ave. NE, Cairo, Georgia. Attended South Georgia College for two years, transferred to University of Georgia on football scholarship. In 1954, he became athletic director, head football coach and girls basketball coach for Cairo High School--positions he held for 16 years. Between 1970 & 1978, West coached at Fitzgerald and Lowndes County. He returned to Cairo in 1976 and served as coach of Washington Middle School, athletic director for the Grady County School System. He retired in 1983. The Cairo High Football Stadium was dedicated to Coach Thomas the same year.