Lackland Air Force Base in Bexar County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

Senior Master Sgt. Lucien Thomas

Photographed by James Hulse, August 16, 2024

1. Senior Master Sgt. Lucien Thomas Marker

Inscription. Almost a year before his own country went to war, Lucien Thomas enlisted in the Royal Canadian Air Force and found himself manning a machinegun aboard British bombers. Toward the end of 1942, he transferred to the U.S. Army Air Corps, but was immediately “loaned” back to the RAF to fly special operations squadron missions. He was one of only three Americans to receive the British Distinguished Flying Medal. When the Korean War erupted, "Stag" Thomas applied his gunnery expertise aboard B-26 Invaders destroying enemy materiel and troop concentrations. In Vietnam, he served as assistant to the 7th Air Force Director of Munitions and still managed to slide in numerous combat sorites. Before his retirement in 1968, Sergeant Thomas had accumulated more than 400 combat missions and 75 decorations from eight countries.

Erected by USAF Heritage Program Collection.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Air & Space • War, Korean • War, Vietnam • War, World II. A significant historical year for this entry is 1942.

Location. 29° 23.419′ N, 98° 37.052′ W. Marker is in Lackland Air Force Base,

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Texas, in Bexar County. It is on Bong Avenue south of Luke Blvd. The marker is located at the USAF Airman Heritage Museum’s Air Park which is around the parade grounds. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Jbsa Lackland TX 78236, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in South Texas

and in the San Antonio Metropolitan Area.

It is also in the American South.

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,

and one of the Confederate States of America.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: A-26C "Invader" (here, next to this marker); B-26 Invader (here, next to this marker); Military Working Dog Teams National Monument (within shouting distance of this marker); B-25 Mitchell (within shouting distance of this marker); B-25H "Mitchell" (within shouting distance of this marker); C-47D "Skytrain" (within shouting distance of this marker); Staff Sergeant James A. Moran (within

The Senior Master Sgt. Lucien Thomas Marker in front of a A-26C Invader image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James Hulse, August 16, 2024

2. The Senior Master Sgt. Lucien Thomas Marker in front of a A-26C Invader

shouting distance of this marker); 459th Bomb Group (H) (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Lackland Air Force Base.

More about this marker. The marker, museum and air park are located on the Lackland Air Force Base, an active U.S. military installation which is a part of the Joint Base San Antonio (JBSA). The USAF Airman Heritage Museum and Air Park are open to the public, but appropriate identification is required for access. Visit the museum’s web site for current details on visiting the museum and air park.

Also see . . . Airmen Heritage Training Complex. USAF Airman Heritage Museum (Submitted on August 28, 2024, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.)

Credits. This page was last revised on August 29, 2024. It was originally submitted on August 27, 2024, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 222 times since then and 62 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 29, 2024, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.