THOMAS C. LATIMORE, JR., CDR, USN
Thomas Latimore, Jr. '14
Lucky Bag
From the 1914 Lucky Bag:
Albert Harold Rooks
Walla Walla, Washington
"Rooksey"
TisoneofthosepleasantchapsfromsunnyTennessee. One of his favorite pastimes (next to catching one) used to be the indulging in song in the corridors. And when he so indulged, the noise was loud and long. One of the few times he was ever known to be peeved was when an unsympathetic M. C. reproached him for singing during study hours. Tom's greatest achievement has been the keeping of Poodles from the snares of the tempters. He has cared for him faithfully ever since plebesemi-anns, and that's saying a great deal for any man. Many was the time, during youngster year, that the corridor would be startled to hear Poodles yelling in dire distress for "Tom! Tom!—And he never yelled in vain, for in no time at all the optimist would come tearing out of his room to the rescue of his erring wife. As time wore on Poodles began to subside, and Tom with his southern ardor for excitement and adventure turned to flirting violently with Milady Nick O'Tene and became one of her most consistent suitors in the fourth company smoking parlor. He had one other weakness, though, and that was a most peculiar susceptibility to the fascinations of good things to eat. "The way to a man's heart leads through his stomach," and the way to Tom's heart is a regular boulevard (take notice, ladies). Most of second class year was devoted by Tom and his wife to the arguing of the important question, "who supplies the candy ticket?" —— and the yet more important problem -- "who gets the candy?"
Latidos is as generous as he is big; is thoroughly unselfish; and will always lend one anything, from a pillow case to a brand-new dollar bill—qualities which count a lot in obtaining popularity for a man. He is the kind of man who is always an agreeable companion, as the men who lived with him for three years on the third deck will cheerfully testify. Big of heart, he is as firm a friend as one can ever have, and the "old fourth" will tell the service, "He's a man."
"Now,I don't see—."
Hinder (1st Co.); Football Squad (4, 3, 2); Crew Squad (4, 3); Football N 2nd; Crew Numerals with Cross Oar; Sunshine (4, 3, 2, 1).
Albert Harold Rooks
Walla Walla, Washington
"Rooksey"
TisoneofthosepleasantchapsfromsunnyTennessee. One of his favorite pastimes (next to catching one) used to be the indulging in song in the corridors. And when he so indulged, the noise was loud and long. One of the few times he was ever known to be peeved was when an unsympathetic M. C. reproached him for singing during study hours. Tom's greatest achievement has been the keeping of Poodles from the snares of the tempters. He has cared for him faithfully ever since plebesemi-anns, and that's saying a great deal for any man. Many was the time, during youngster year, that the corridor would be startled to hear Poodles yelling in dire distress for "Tom! Tom!—And he never yelled in vain, for in no time at all the optimist would come tearing out of his room to the rescue of his erring wife. As time wore on Poodles began to subside, and Tom with his southern ardor for excitement and adventure turned to flirting violently with Milady Nick O'Tene and became one of her most consistent suitors in the fourth company smoking parlor. He had one other weakness, though, and that was a most peculiar susceptibility to the fascinations of good things to eat. "The way to a man's heart leads through his stomach," and the way to Tom's heart is a regular boulevard (take notice, ladies). Most of second class year was devoted by Tom and his wife to the arguing of the important question, "who supplies the candy ticket?" —— and the yet more important problem -- "who gets the candy?"
Latidos is as generous as he is big; is thoroughly unselfish; and will always lend one anything, from a pillow case to a brand-new dollar bill—qualities which count a lot in obtaining popularity for a man. He is the kind of man who is always an agreeable companion, as the men who lived with him for three years on the third deck will cheerfully testify. Big of heart, he is as firm a friend as one can ever have, and the "old fourth" will tell the service, "He's a man."
"Now,I don't see—."
Hinder (1st Co.); Football Squad (4, 3, 2); Crew Squad (4, 3); Football N 2nd; Crew Numerals with Cross Oar; Sunshine (4, 3, 2, 1).
Loss
Thomas was lost when he went missing on a hike in Hawaii while commanding officer of USS Dobbin (AD 3) on July 18, 1941.
Other Information
From researcher Kathy Franz:
Thomas attended McCallie School in Chattanooga and participated in the Literary Society’s oratorical contest in June 1908. His speech covered the history of Westminster Abbey and ended with asking if the United State could not have a monastery of this kind to bury her great heroes, presidents, and poets.
Thomas married Katherine Beach on September 12, 1925, in Washington, D. C. At the time, he was stationed in the judge advocate general’s office of the navy department. Their daughters were Elizabeth and Katherine.
His father Thomas was a lawyer, mother Elizabeth (Spears,) brothers William (Spears,) David and Daniel (‘27.)
He was survived by his wife, two children, mother, and three brothers. Thomas is listed at the Courts of the Missing in Hawaii.
Photographs
Photo from Chattanooga Daily Times, July 22, 1941. Found by Kathy Franz.
Memorial Hall Error
There is no evidence that Thomas' loss was in any way operational. Despite his loss occurring 5 months before Pearl Harbor, he is listed as an "overseas loss" from World War II; suspect that is how his name was originally added to Memorial Hall. (A "commemorative certificate" lists his date of death a year and a day later: July 19, 1942. This could also have contributed to the mistaken assumption his death was during the war.)
An article from the McCallie School alumni journal in December 1945 advanced the baseless rumor he "was a victim of Japanese espionage." It also gives the wrong month of his loss (August) and introduces a story about men on a boat that is not supported by contemporary reporting.
The "category" links below lead to lists of related Honorees; use them to explore further the service and sacrifice of alumni in Memorial Hall.
