This Military Service Page was created/owned by
Shaun Thomas (Underdog), OSC
to remember
Thornton, Thomas Ray, CT3.
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Contact Info
Last Address Springfield
Date of Passing Jun 08, 1967
Location of Interment Ferncliff Cemetery - Springfield, Ohio
Thomas Ray, affectionately known as Tommy, was born in Springfield, Ohio on February 1, 1944, to William R. and Anna (Fay) Thornton. Tommy has a sister, Joann Nuss, who grew up with Tommy when they lived on North Race Street. After completing grade school, he attended North High School. Tommy was a member of the track team and distinguished himself during the period 1960 through 1962 when he was awarded trophies for his accomplishments.
His coach, James Rolfes, had a special fondness for this young man. Whenever asked about Tommy, Mr. Rolfes had only good things to say and ranked him highest amongst those who preceded him.
Tommy graduated from North High School in 1962 and continued his education at Ohio State University. He left the university and joined the navy with hopes of returning to school when his military obligation was completed.
Tommy was a former employee of Robbins and Myers, Inc.
Tommy is buried at Ferncliff cemetery.
USS Liberty Incident (Israel)
From Month/Year
June / 1967
To Month/Year
June / 1967
Description The USS Liberty incident was an attack on a United States Navy technical research ship, USS Liberty, by Israeli Air Force jet fighter aircraft and Israeli Navy motor torpedo boats, on 8 June 1967, during the Six-Day War. The combined air and sea attack killed 34 crew members (naval officers, seamen, two marines, and one civilian), wounded 171 crew members, and severely damaged the ship. At the time, the ship was in international waters north of the Sinai Peninsula, about 25.5 nmi (29.3 mi; 47.2 km) northwest from the Egyptian city of Arish.
Israel apologized for the attack, saying that the USS Liberty had been attacked in error after being mistaken for an Egyptian ship. Both the Israeli and U.S. governments conducted inquiries and issued reports that concluded the attack was a mistake due to Israeli confusion about the ship's identity, though others, including survivors of the attack, have rejected these conclusions and maintain that the attack was deliberate.
In May 1968, the Israeli government paid US$3,323,500 (US$22.9 million 2017) in compensation to the families of the 34 men killed in the attack. In March 1969, Israel paid a further $3,566,457 to the men who had been wounded. On 18 December 1980, it agreed to pay $6 million as settlement for the final U.S. bill of $17,132,709 for material damage to Liberty herself plus 13 years' interest.
