Oral History: Thomas, Archie

Archie Thomas, a native Texan, joined the Army Air Corps in 1942. On April 8, 1944, he was shot down over Germany when flying on a B-24 Bomber with a ten-man group as a gunner. Mr. Thomas was the sole survivor and became a prisoner of war for thirteen months in Austria before being released when the war was ending. He was awarded the purple heart for injuries he received during combat. After the war, Mr. Thomas worked for Noth American Aviation for thirty-two years. He now resides at the Watkins Logan Texas State Veterans Home in Tyler, Texas.