FRANCIS P. THOMAS, LT, USN
Francis Thomas '43
Lucky Bag
From the 1943 Lucky Bag:
FRANCIS PUGH THOMAS
At Large
In true Navy Junior fashion, Frank learned his ABC's in schools from Newport to Honolulu. But, broad as his education has been, he has had his troubles with the fairer sex. Nevertheless, dragging rain or shine, he keeps at it, always believing that SHE will be found just over the horizon. Throughout the year, Tommie's leisure hours have been spent mostly in swimming, while "quiet" sails in the ketches have lured him away over the weekends. Upon his graduation, his first bid is "twenty thousand leagues under the sea." Can it be his love of submarines or a childhood sweetheart in New London?
He was a member of the swim team.
The Class of 1943 was graduated in June 1942 due to World War II. The entirety of 2nd class (junior) year was removed from the curriculum.
FRANCIS PUGH THOMAS
At Large
In true Navy Junior fashion, Frank learned his ABC's in schools from Newport to Honolulu. But, broad as his education has been, he has had his troubles with the fairer sex. Nevertheless, dragging rain or shine, he keeps at it, always believing that SHE will be found just over the horizon. Throughout the year, Tommie's leisure hours have been spent mostly in swimming, while "quiet" sails in the ketches have lured him away over the weekends. Upon his graduation, his first bid is "twenty thousand leagues under the sea." Can it be his love of submarines or a childhood sweetheart in New London?
He was a member of the swim team.
The Class of 1943 was graduated in June 1942 due to World War II. The entirety of 2nd class (junior) year was removed from the curriculum.
Loss
Francis was lost when USS Growler (SS 215) was sunk by Japanese surface vessels on November 8, 1944 in the South China Sea.
Other Information
From the Class of 1943 anniversary book "25 years later…":
Frank was born in San Diego, California on 5 August, 1920. He was appointed from at-large and entered the Academy on 9 June, 1939. Upon graduation he was ordered to the cruiser USS SAN DIEGO and was detached in February 1943 in order to attend Submarine School in New London, Connecticut. Upon completion of his training he reported to the submarine USS DACE in July 1943. He served in this submarine for at least two successful war patrols and two special missions in the Hallandia-Tanah-Meroh Area. In August 1944 Frank reported to Commander, Submarine Division ONE HUNDRED EIGHTY-TWO as relief crew. In October he reported to the submarine USS GROWLER and qualified in submarines on 4 November, 1944. On the morning of 8 November, the GROWLER was operating with two other friendly submarines against an enemy convoy. The GROWLER was not attacked by the enemy escorts, according to Japanese records, but the other two friendly submarines were. It is suspected that perhaps the GROWLER was a victim of one of her own torpedoes. In any case she was lost in the South China Sea with all hands.
Frank was entitled to wear the Purple Heart, American Defense Service Medal with Fleet Clasp, American Area Campaign Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Area Campaign Medal with five bronze stars and the Philippine Liberation Ribbon. He was survived by his parents, Captain and Mrs. Frank Pugh Thomas, USN (RET) who at Frank's death resided at 3 Oklahoma Terrace, Annapolis, Maryland.
From researcher Kathy Franz:
His father Rear Admiral Francis Pugh Thomas (’14) died on March 19, 1953, in Rockville, Maryland. He was Commanding Officer of the battleship North Carolina in 1943 and 1944. He also served on submarines early in his career. His mother was Marguerite Muller, and his brother was Phillip, who later served in the Marine Corps. In 1930, they lived in Norfolk, and in 1935, in Honolulu.
Francis was on the commissioning crew of USS Dace (SS 247) in July 1943, and he served on Dace for four war patrols. He reported to USS Growler in October 1944.
His parents were listed as next of kin. He is listed at the Manila American Cemetery and Memorial.
Photographs
Full Biography
From Stories Behind The Stars via fold3:
Francis Pugh Thomas, Jr. (SN O-165470) was born 5 August 1920 in San Diego, California. His parents were Rear Admiral Francis Pugh Thomas (1891-1953) and Marguerite M. Muller (1895-1983). He was raised in a Navy family, and therefore lived in many locations including San Diego, California, Norfolk, Virginia, Chevy Chase, Maryland, Honolulu, Hawaii, and Newport, Rhode Island. He had a younger brother Philip Farrington Thomas, who later served in the US Marine Corps.
He was appointed to the US Naval Academy and joined the Class of 1943 on 9 June 1939. At the Naval Academy he was active in varsity swimming and coached the plebe swimming team. Upon graduation on 19 Jun 1942, he was ordered to the cruiser USS San Diego (CL-53). The San Diego had been commissioned in January 1942. In early August 1942, San Diego participated in the first American offensive effort of the war—the invasion of the Solomons at Guadalcanal. San Diego provided antiaircraft support to USS Enterprise (CV-6) during the Naval Battle of Guadalcanal from 12–15 November. After several months battling the Japanese in the dangerous waters of the Solomons, San Diego steamed to Auckland, New Zealand, for replenishment.
Frank was detached from USS San Diego in February 1943 to attend Submarine School, New London, Connecticut. Upon completion of his training, he reported to the commissioning crew of the submarine USS Dace (SS-247) in July 1943. Departing New London, Connecticut on 7 September 1943, Dace arrived at Pearl Harbor on 3 October, and 17 days later sailed on her first war patrol, bound for the southeast coast of Honshū and the approaches to Nagoya. He served on Dace for four war patrols. In August 1944, Frank reported to Commander, Submarine Division 182 as relief crew. In October he reported to USS Growler (SS-215), which was commanded by CDR Thomas B. Oakley, Jr.
The USS Growler was a Gato-class fleet submarine built in Groton Connecticut by the Electric Boat Company. It was commissioned on 20 March 1942. After completing shakedown trials, Growler was underway for Pacific waters in early May 1942, arriving at Pearl Harbor on 31 May.
Soon after Frank reported, Growler departed Freemantle on 20 October 1944 on her eleventh and final war patrol. The Growler was a member of a wolfpack of three submarines and detected an enemy convoy in the South China Sea. On 8 November 1944 Growler closed in for the kill while USS Hake (SS-256) and USS Hardhead (SS-365) flanked the convoy. CDR Oakley directed the wolf pack to attack, but that was the last communication ever heard from Growler. A short time later, Hake noted in her war diary that she heard two explosions of “undetermined character,” and almost simultaneously, the convoy zig-zagged away from Growler’s position. Hardhead heard what sounded like a torpedo explosion followed by three depth charges on the opposite side of the convoy. Hake and Hardhead continued to attack the convoy, sinking the 5,300-ton tanker Manei Maru. Hake endured 16 hours of enemy attacks with some 150 depth charges exploding around her during the battle. After the engagement was complete, Hake and Hardhead attempted to contact Growler continuously for three days, but to no avail. The likely culprits of Growler’s demise were later identified as Japanese destroyer Shigure and escort vessel Chiburi, or another Japanese vessel in the convoy. The possibility also exists, however unlikely, that one of Growler’s own torpedoes made a premature or circular run.
On 1 February 1945, Navy Department Communique No. 572 stated, “Growler is overdue from patrol and presumed lost, cause unknown” and the next-of-kin of her officers and crew were notified. All hands, 86 crewmembers including CDR Oakley, were lost. Over the course of World War II, Growler sank 15 enemy vessels for a total of 74,900 tons and damaged seven other vessels for 34,100 tons on her 11 war patrols. Frank’s Naval Academy classmate LT Norman W. Naylor was also lost onboard Growler on 8 November 1944. In addition, Frank’s classmate ENS William W. Williams had been lost onboard Growler on an earlier patrol on 7 February 1943, before Frank reported aboard.
There is a memorial for the crew of the Growler at the Manila American Cemetery and Memorial in the Philippines, which is in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City, Metro Manila, within the boundaries of the former Fort William McKinley.
Lt Thomas received the Purple Heart, American Defense Service Medal with Fleet Clasp, American Area Campaign Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with five bronze stars, and the Philippine Liberation Ribbon.
He was survived by his parents, Captain and Mrs. Frank Pugh Thomas, USN, of Annapolis, MD. Captain Thomas was a 1914 graduate of the US Naval Academy, and early in his career served on submarines. Captain F.P. Thomas received the Legion of Merit for his conduct as Commanding Officer of the battleship USS North Carolina in 1943. When he received the award, his son was listed as missing in action. Following this command, Captain Thomas served on the staff of Admiral Ernest King. He and his wife are buried in Arlington National Cemetery.
Related Articles
Thomas Oakley, Jr. '34 and Norman Naylor ’43 were also lost when Growler was sunk.
William Williams '43 was aboard Growler but was killed in action (February 7, 1943) before Francis reported aboard.
The "category" links below lead to lists of related Honorees; use them to explore further the service and sacrifice of alumni in Memorial Hall.
