Huntsville in Walker County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

John William Thomason Jr.

Photographed by Jeff Leichsenring, February 19, 2024

1. John William Thomason Jr. Marker

Inscription. Huntsville native John William Thomason Jr. was born on February 28, 1893, as the eldest of nine children of Dr. John Williams and Sue Hayes (Goree) Thomason. Graduating from Huntsville High School in 1909, he taught in area schools for seven years between attendance at several universities, including the Art Students League in New York. After working as a reporter for the Houston Chronicle, Thomason was commissioned a second lieutenant in the Marine Corps in 1917, after the United States' entry into the First World War. He saw action at some of the most intense campaigns of the war, including St. Mihiel and the Meuse-Argonne. For his actions at the Battle of Soissons in July 1918, he was awarded the Navy Cross, the nation's second-highest decoration for valor. Thomason remained a career Marine after the war, balancing shipboard duty and postings around the world with a simultaneous career as an acclaimed writer and artist.

Retaining a passion for drawing from childhood, Thomason was a prolific sketcher and writer, completing eleven illustrated books and publishing more than sixty articles for the premier magazines

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of the era. A series of popular articles in Scribner's Magazine beginning in 1925 evolved into his most famous work, Fix Bayonets! (1926), which brought instant success and national fame. Other works ranged from U.S. Civil War topics to reflections from his experiences around the world. After serving in a series of World War II assignments, Thomason died in San Diego, California, on March 12, 1944, leaving behind a wife and son. The naval destroyer USS John W. Thomason (DD-760), launched in 1944, was named in his honor.

Erected 2017 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 18635.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Cemeteries & Burial Sites. A significant historical date for this entry is February 28, 1893.

Location. 30° 43.597′ N, 95° 32.783′ W. Marker is in Huntsville, Texas, in Walker County. It can be reached from the intersection of 9th Street and Avenue I. Oakwood Cemetery, 9th Street at Avenue I, section 29. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 811 9th St, Huntsville TX 77320, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the American South

and on the

Photographed by Jeff Leichsenring, February 19, 2024

2. John William Thomason Jr. Marker

Gulf Coast.

Globally, it is in North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain,

the Republic of Texas,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Joshua Houston (within shouting distance of this marker); James Addison Baker (within shouting distance of this marker); Honoring Unknown Graves (within shouting distance of this marker); General John Slater Besser (within shouting distance of this marker); The Huntsville Yellow Fever Epidemic of 1867 (within shouting distance of this marker); The Rev. Thomas H. Ball (within shouting distance of this marker); Pleasant Williams Kittrell (within shouting distance of this marker); Henderson Yoakum (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Huntsville.

Credits. This page was last revised on December 3, 2024. It was originally submitted on February 20, 2024, by Jeff Leichsenring of Garland, Texas. This page has been viewed 384 times since then and 31 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on February 20, 2024, by Jeff Leichsenring of Garland, Texas. • James Hulse was the editor who published this page.