REMEMBERING WAYNE THOMAS
by Graham Pugh

FOREWARD: Wayne was a friend of mine. He loved the Beatles and we would get together on occasion and listen to their music.  I clearly remember that he liked the recordings of There's A Place and From Me To You. He was also a big fan of singer Gene Pitney.  After high school, I lost track of him and a few years later was shocked to learn that he had died in Viet Nam (I was in the service myself at the time). I always thought I would see him again.

Fast forward to May 2011: One day I received an e-mail from Charlie Foster who had found references to Wayne on our class website. He explained that he had served with Wayne in Viet Nam, was a close friend and how for many years, had wanted to get in touch with his family. I suggested that he post an inquiry on the website message board. It wasn't very long before Bob Dinkins (brother of Classmate Brenda Dinkins) saw the message.  It so happens that Brenda was married to Wayne's brother-in-law. With this connection, Bob was able to put Charlie in touch with the family.  Through the efforts of Bob and Charlie, I was put in touch with Wayne's widow Deborah Maxwell and was able to get Wayne's story and some pictures.

Many thanks to Deborah Maxwell, Bob Dinkins, and Charlie Foster.  Without their help, I would never have been able to put this article together.

 Note: Charlie Foster served with Wayne in Viet Nam and was with him that fateful day. Read on ......



 
 
WAYNE EARL THOMAS
July 28, 1947 - August 22, 1968

"In Death A Hero, As In Life A Friend"

Wayne Earl Thomas was born in Akron Ohio on July 28, 1947. His family moved to Florida while he was very young. Growing up in Fort Lauderdale, Wayne attended Broward Estates Elementary, Parkway Junior High and Strahahan High School, graduating with the Class of 1965. He had an older brother Bobby, an older sister Patricia, and a younger brother Dwight.
 
 

Wayne met Deborah Hughes (his bride to be) one day at the Starlight Skating Rink. Deborah, coincidentally, lived just 5 houses down the street from him!  Wayne was 14 years old at the time, she was just 13.
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After high school, Wayne enlisted in the US Marine Corps and and attended boot camp at Parris Island, South Carolina. He then received advanced training at Camp Lejeune. Graduating with honors, he was then assigned to the Marine Corps Air Station at Cherry Point, North Carolina. Upon arrival, he sent for Deborah and they were married in October 1965. For the next three years, they made their home at Cherry Point. During this period their daughter Tammy was born (September 20,1967).

In late October, 1967, Wayne received his orders for Viet Nam. Tammy was just 5 weeks old at the time. The following year, Wayne was granted leave and in April met up with Deborah in Hawaii for a much-needed R&R.

Returning to Vietnam, Wayne was assigned to a Hawk guided missile battery located on the top of a hill just outside of DaNang. It was Hill 647 also called Monkey Mountain. One day in the line of duty, he volunteered to burn off weeds and brush that were growing along the fence around the Marine compound. It was windy that day and some of the fuel that was sprayed along the fence row had gotten onto his clothing. For some reason, the fuel accidentally ignited and Wayne was badly burned. He was med-evaced to Japan and then to a burn unit in Texas. It was there that he passed away. Four months later, his son Kenneth Wayne Thomas was born.

Wayne was a likeable guy loved by his family and friends and well respected by those he served with.

On Saturday, September 7, 1968, Wayne was laid to rest at Forrest Lawn Central Memorial Gardens in Fort Lauderdale alongside his Dad and brother in law.

Wedding Day
October 9th, 1965







Wayne, Tammy and Deborah
Taken just before Wayne's departure to Viet Nam
 
 
 		  
     
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