Madison native John Robert Thomas, 100, passed away Thursday, May 2, 2024. Thomas was born Aug. 6, 1925 to George Earnest Thomas and Sue Pollatie (Pollatty) Thomas. Dad graduated from Madison High School in 1943. He was inducted into the U.S. Army on Nov. 11, 1943, at Camp Blanding, Fla. As a private, he saw action in the Rome Arno Campaign from Jan. 22, 1944 to Sept. of 1944.
He later served in the Northern Apennines from Sept. 10, 1944 to April 4, 1945, before being stationed in Po Valley from April 5, 1945 to May 8, 1945. Dad saw 20 months of action with the 88th Infantry Division, HQ Company, 351st Infantry Regiment. His MOS was scout/anti-tank gunner from 1943 through 1945. He was decorated with a Purple Heart, WWII Victory Medial, Good Conduct Medal,Combat Infantry Badge,Bronze Star (for action on Nov. 16, 1944 - volunteered to swim a river as a scout to find the enemy and recon their location and movements).