Operation Just Cause... ...for as long as it takes
If you ever, even for a moment, wonder why we are all here involved in OJC, James R. Thomas and his family is one of the reasons why. James Thomas was involved in an incident that should have been resolved years ago and the effect on the family has been devastating. We need answers about James Thomas and we need to have this incident ended with the return to his family of this father, husband and grandfather. We cannot accept a lack of answers as the answer.
Kimmie and the Moonduster Chronicle is proud to introduce you to James Richard Thomas:
JAMES RICHARD THOMAS Source: Compiled by Homecoming II Project 01 April 1991 from one or more of the following: raw data from U.S. Government agency sources, correspondence with POW/MIA families, published sources, interviews. Updated by the P.O.W. NETWORK 1998.
REMARKS:
SYNOPSIS: Jim Thomas joined the Air Force when he was 18 and was assigned duty as an aircraft mechanic. While he was stationed in Hawaii, he was able to train for pararescue, and subsequently assigned to a pararescue Squadron at Da Nang, Vietnam.
On November 25, 1971, while on a TDY assignment, Jim was on a rescue mission, which successfully retrieved 13 soldiers whose helicopter had been shot down. Jim's chopper took ground fire during the rescue, and the crew stopped at a forward base camp to make sure the chopper was safe to fly. The soldiers got off at that time.
On the flight back to its home base at Bien Hoa, the chopper took more fire and the pilot was hit. It began a slow descent and impacted in a river, breaking in two. Three crewmembers were found dead. The two-crew members standing next to Jim both got out and was recovered by friendly forces. A local fisherman who saw the crash said a third man, wearing a white t-shirt, also escaped. Jim was the only one wearing a white t-shirt. Friendly forces controlled one side of the river and the other side was controlled by enemy troops.
When American Prisoners of War were released in 1973, Jim Thomas was not among them. He remains unaccounted for.
Since the war ended, over 10,000 reports have been received concerning
Americans still in captivity in Southeast Asia, but the U.S. has been unable to secure freedom for any of those who remain.
On November 25, 1998, Jim's wife, Julie, passed away. Her friends said, "She died of a broken heart." Julie never knew the fate of her husband, and left three daughters, Kimmie, Lisa and Symphony to carry on the fight.
Questions answered by Kimmie for this article:
Question: What was it like growing up as a child of a POW/MIA?
Answer: Unlike some of the kids involved here and in other organizations I belong too, I was relatively young when my father went missing only 3 1/2.
Realistically, though pathetic, this is the only life I have ever known. One where your father isn't home for supper or to take you on family vacations, but rather superimposed onto a piece of paper called "a picture," that is ever so carefully placed on a table of honor with memories that will have to last a lifetime. Learning to look at the picture with LOVE and ADORATION but DON'T TOUCH because it is all we have left to remind us of what he looked like. It is the same picture I now use on my webpage - the picture that was taken of him when he was home just two months before he went Missing In Action. The precious memories now passed on equally to the daughters to hold and treasure and to pass down to their children.
School was entirely different. I learned as young as kindergarten not to say he was "Missing" in a war they called Vietnam, or LOST. When I was asked about my Dad the kids responded to my honest and truthful answers with an inquisitive look, not understanding how someone could loose a Dad. Some of the parents of the children were so bold as to stare me in the eye, the eyes of a five year old child, and tell me “HE GOT WHAT HE DESERVED," including one parent even telling their son in front of me that he wasn't allowed to play with me because "HER
DADDY KILLED BABIES."
I got smart!! When asked, "Where is your Dad," I was quick to respond. I had two stories depending on the situation. The first story, "Oh, He works for a thing in the Government called the CIA, and he's on a secret mission like James Bond." The second more commonly used was "He is a clown with the Ringling Brothers Circus and you can see him when he comes to town." By the time I got to High School, I finally learned in Social Studies about the War In Vietnam, or what they thought constituted the War. One big Picture and two paragraphs covered the entire War. I was outraged! I talked to my teacher and for three years taught the kids about the REAL Vietnam, through my knowledge and books on the War, and from my personal experiences. Even
Today, I still offer to go and speak to High Schools and teach them what it is like to walk in my shoes, to live my life, to live with the "What Ifs" and the "Not Knowing's." This helps the next generation to remember that they must Never Forget and that they need to help us gain the fullest possible accounting of all Missing Men and Prisoner of War who remain unaccounted.
Q: On a personal level, how do you handle not know what has happened to your Dad?
A: I'm not sure the word "handle" surmises what I do. I deal with the hand that Life has dealt me, for better or worse to the best of my abilities. I attend meetings; speak in public and educate the next generation. Some days are easier to accept than others. After the Suicide of my mother, two days after Dad's 27th year of being Missing In Action, I questioned all the pain as if it were new and fresh again. I have told some that I now feel like I have lost both parents to this war - one by direct action from the war and the other by the Governments lack of action.
I was angry, bitter, and wanted to scream after we lost Mom. But though a faith in God, and great friends here at Operation Just Cause who helped me, counseled me, and gave me big broad shoulders to cry on no matter what time of day or night, I have now learned to put my mom's death into the hand that life has dealt. It has reaffirmed my commitment to getting my dad and every one of our men home.
Q: Can you give us the latest information concerning your Dad?
A:I am currently in the process of transcribing the latest information onto the website and hope to be finished very shortly. I have uncovered some new information but it is currently being investigated. As usual, the Government is very quick to NOT give you the answers you need and are questioning. I do know this that the stories of the “white” T-shirt on my web page are about to come around full circle in the not to distant future. I will keep all advised to my progress. It saddens me that I cannot give a more complete detail as to the latest information but as it stands now, it's just a lot of questions I have put forth to the Government and I am still waiting.
Q: What can we do to help bring your Dad back home?
A: It's not just my father. For any of the adopted heroes, send a fax, write emails, and call Congressman, Senator, and The President. Let them know that we will not tolerate anything less than the Greatest Possible Accounting of all those who remain in Vietnam! Personally, pertaining to my dad, I have letters and updates located on his page with address of who you can write to specifically to help me challenge what I have found. If enough of us raise our voices as to the discrepancies in my dad's case maybe together - we can make a difference.
Q: Any words of encouragement to the other children of POW/MIA(s) and the OJC Volunteers?
A: To the Children -- know that we are not alone. We as children "together and united" can make a difference. Look around at this site and know that we are not alone. There are thousands here alone who care and who are trying day and night to help us gain the fullest accounting possible. I have been honored to meet so many loving and dedicated individuals who truly care and work tirelessly to bring all of the POW/MIAs home, I am blessed.
To the OJC Volunteers -- without you, my family and the other families of the missing would be fighting alone!!! Thank you for your tireless dedication to this cause. I have never had such a feeling in my heart as I do for all of the volunteers here within this organization.
To all who adopt a POW/MIA -- GOD BLESS YOU!!!! Your kindness and caring does not go unnoticed. The families really do appreciate what you are doing to help us in bringing them home. Together "WE CAN MOVE MOUNTAINS." God bless you all and take care.
Name: James Richard Thomas
Rank/Branch: E6/US Air Force
Unit: 37th ARRSQ / Pararescue, Da Nang
Date of Birth: 05 July 1943
Home City of Record: Ft. Walton Beach FL
Date of Loss: 25 November 1971
Country of Loss: South Vietnam
Loss Coordinates: 103800N 1064800E (XS953730)
Status (in 1973): Missing In Action
Category: 3
Acft/Vehicle/Ground: HH53C
Refno: 1780
Other Personnel In Incident: none missing
