| Thomas J. Abernethy, Sr. | |
|---|---|
 Abernethy as a Major in 1942. | |
| Born | September 24, 1895 |
| Died | February 17, 1982 (aged 86) |
| Place of birth | Perry, Maine |
| Place of death | Westfield, Massachusetts |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Service/branch |
United States Army Air Service United States Army |
| Years of service |
1917-1919 1940-1945 |
| Battles/wars |
World War I World War II |
| Awards |
Distinguished Service Cross Legion of Merit |
| Spouse(s) | Edna S. Abernethy (wife) |
| Relations |
James Abernethy (father) Mary G. Abernethy (mother) |
| Other work |
Principal of Westfield High School (1928-1940, 1945-1947) Superintendent of Westfield Public Schools (1947-1962) |
Thomas James Abernethy, Sr. (24 September 1895 in Perry, Maine - 17 February 1982 in Westfield, Massachusetts) was an American veteran of the United States Army Air Service and United States Army who served in both World Wars.
Biography[]
Thomas was born in the town of Perry, Maine on 24 September 1895. He was the son of James and Mary G. Abernethy. He enlisted in the United States Army Air Service on 26 July 1917 and served for the remainder of World War I until being discharged on 12 July 1919. He became a fighter ace and was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for heroic actions. After being discharged he married a girl named Edna and together they had two children (Thomas Jr., and Mary G.). Thomas would later go on to work for the Westfield Public School district serving as the Superintendent of Westfield Public Schools from 1947 until his retirement in 1962. Before serving as superintendent, he was the principal of Westfield High School from 1928 to 1940 and again from 1945 to 1947. He was recalled for military service in 1940 and served in World War II with the United States Army reaching the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. He left the army in 1945. After his retirement he settled in Westfield where he died on 17 February 1982.
Awards & decorations[]
- Distinguished Service Cross in 1918 as Second Lieutenant in the 147th Aero Squadron, 1st Pursuit Group, American Expeditionary Forces
- Legion of Merit
DSC citation[]
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Second Lieutenant (Air Service) Thomas J. Abernathy, United States Army Air Service, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with 147th Aero Squadron, 1st Pursuit Group, U.S. Army Air Service, A.E.F., near Vourbin, France, 15 July 1918. Lieutenant Abernathy, while on patrol duty, attacked an enemy plane at close range, firing 100 rounds at a distance of from 50 to 200 yards. He followed the German ship down and saw it fall out of control, and as he turned he found five enemy planes diving at him. Without hesitation he took the offensive and fired 200 rounds into enemy ships at not more than 15 to 20 yards. He observed tracer bullets entering the bodies of the enemy aircraft, but owing to the violence of the combat he did not have time to observe whether any of his force were shot down. Fighting vigorously, he succeeded in dispersing the enemy ships and making a safe landing within his own lines, although his own engine and plane was almost shot to pieces.
Sources[]
- Westfield, Massachusetts 1669-1969 (The First Three Hundred Years), page 148
- Westfield, Massachusetts 1669-1969 (The First Three Hundred Years), page 151
- Westfield Trade High School (Class of 1960) Yearbook
- Westfield High School (Class of 1946) Yearbook, page 22
- Family Search Records
- https://valor.militarytimes.com/recipient.php?recipientid=15710
- https://www.fold3.com/page/629020295-thomas-abernethy-1895/facts
- Bulletin - Bureau of Education, pg. 45