Thomas M. McGee
| Era | Korean War |
|---|---|
| Branch | U.S. Navy |
| Rank | Chief Petty Officer |
| Wall | AA |
| Wall Side | 3 |
| Row | 3 |
| Plaque Number | 4 |
Thomas Martin McGee Biography
Thomas Martin McGee was born in San Diego on June 13, 1921. He enjoyed playing sports in high school but left school at 17 to join the United States Navy as an Apprentice Seamen on December 8, 1939. He later went on to get his GED. Thomas honorably served aboard 8 different vessels. His shore duty included U.S. Navy Instructor School, Navy Refrigeration A/C School, and was company commander for 2 Navy recruit companies at Naval Training Center San Diego. He was proud to have served on the USS Lexington during WW II in the Pacific Theater. As a contributor to the USS Lexington book, Men of the Blue Ghost, Thomas wrote:
“I reported to the USS Lexington in mid-January 1943 as a Machinist Mate 2/Class and was assigned to the Hydraulic Gang of Chief Walter Richard Smith and Warrant Officer John Henry McKeever. Being the only regular navy petty officer, I was put in charge of the Hydraulic Gang under Smith. Although there were no other regular navy men in our gang, the reserves were as dedicated and every bit as efficient as anyone could ask for and, personally, I would like to thank them.”
It was during action at Kawajalein Atoll that the USS Lexington was struck by an aerial torpedo on December 4, 1944. “The crew and the Navy owe Chief Walter Richard Smith belated recognition for the emergency hand operated hydraulic steering unit that he conceived and designed which righted the rudder allowing the Lexington to continue service. All the credit was given to Lt. MacDonald, our division officer, and none to Chief Smith. I believe this was wrong.”
During the WWII Pacific action, the USS Lexington participated in nearly every major operation in the Pacific, spending 21 months in combat. Thomas received 3 citations for his service during these critical times. On Thanksgiving Day 1944, Thomas received a service citation from Capt. E.W. Litch. He wrote to his father saying that he didn’t know why he was commended; he was only doing his job.
Thomas also received the Presidential Unit Citation and a Citation from the Air Force.
These written thoughts and comments by Thomas show his true values. With dedication to his service and to his fellow crew members, this was an insight into how Thomas recognized and treated individuals in life with humility, respect, and honesty.
Thomas achieved the rank of Chief Machinist Mate in March 1945, leaving the Lexington for the USS Jason in May 1946. He spent a year in China aboard the Jason where he found and developed an interest in refrigeration engineering. His last ship duty was aboard the USS Richard S Edwards receiving 2 service citations for his dedication to duty.
Thomas, a member of the Greatest Generation, will always be remembered and appreciated for providing our nation and the world with his selfless duty. And like most of his generation, he never dwelled on his service during these critical times. Thankfully, through written accounts, documents and letters home we have true knowledge of his service to our country and the honorable man he was.
Thomas retired from active Navy duty in June of 1959 as Chief Machinist Mate after faithful service to his country for 20 years. After his Navy service, Thomas had a successful career as an Air Conditioning Refrigeration service engineer for University Mechanical Contracting during which time he was an avid bowler and dedicated sports fan to which he could watch and listen to different games on two TVs and another on the radio at the same time, knowing exactly what was happening in each. He retired from the Navy reserves on January 1, 1970. After retiring from University Mechanical, he discovered golf and became an avid golfer, even hitting a hole in one.
Thomas married the love of his life, Ruth Faye Hastings, on May 15, 1948. Together they had six children: Jessica, Cathy, Eileen, Barbara, Martha, and Tom Jr. Thomas’s memory and spirit live on through his remaining children Jessica, Eileen (husband John), Martha (husband Richard) and Tom Jr., as well as through his grandchildren, Gabriel, Matthew, and Adrienne; and great grandchildren Anthony, Nathan, Calvin, and Mackenzie.
Plaque Wall Map
