World War II Honoree

Thomas Holmes Heatwole

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Harrisonburg, Virginia

Honored By

James O. Sweeny

2ND LIEUTENANT, WAS CALLED INTO ACTIVE DUTY WITH THE ARMY CHEMICAL WARFARE SERVICE IN OCTOBER, 1941, REPORTING TO EDGEWOOD ARSENAL, MARYLAND WHERE HE WAS ASSIGNED TO THE 42ND CHEMICAL LABORATORY COMPANY. HIS UNIT LEFT SAN FRANCISCO ON NOVEMBER 21, 1941 AND DEBARKED IN BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA ON DECEMBER 22, 1941. WHILE IN BRISBANE THE LAB OPERATED OUT OF AN ABANDONED MATERNITY HOSPITAL, PERFORMING ANALYSES OF CAPTURED ENEMY MATERIALS AND MAKING SPECIAL STUDIES FOR ALL BRANCHES OF THE ARMED FORCES. HE WAS RETURNED TO THE STATES IN DECEMBER, 1944 AND WAS INITIALLY ASSIGNED TO THE PENTAGON BUT SHORTLY THEREAFTER TO THE QUARTERMASTER CORPS. HE WAS RELEASED FROM ACTIVE DUTY ON MARCH 24, 1946 AS A MAJOR. HE REMAINED IN THE RESERVES.