More detail on this person: Thomas C. Andrew, Jr., Col. USMC (Ret.), 76, of Emory, Va., died
Monday, December 15, 2008 at Valley Health Care after a lengthy illness of primary progressive
aphasia and Parkinsonism.He was born March 5, 1932 to the late Thomas Clifford Andrew, Sr. and
Rowena Phipps Andrew in Bluefield, W.Va. As a student/athlete at Pulaski High School, he was
captain of the basketball team and quarterback on the football team, where he lettered in both
sports. He enlisted in the Marine Corps while a freshman at Virginia Tech, feeling a strong call to
serve his country.Following service in Korea, he became a Naval Aviation Cadet. In U.S. Naval School
Preflight, Pensacola, he was awarded the Outstanding Student Award. His career in the Marine Corps
spanned more than 33 years, from 1952-1985, including service in Korea and Vietnam. Piloting the
UH-1E attack helicopters in Vietnam, he provided close air support to emergency evacuation
helicopters in the mission of extracting casualties. During his tour, he flew 389 missions. He was a
highly decorated Marine with awards that included the Legion of Merit, The Air Medal Bronze Star for
Heroism, the Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal Strike/Flight with Numeral "19", and the
Distinguished Flying Cross. The awards were given on the basis of action while then-Maj. Andrew was
stationed with Marine Light Helicopter Squadron 167. During a mission, he deliberately drew fire to
his own aircraft by turning on his lights in the night so that the medical evacuations could safely
be made. "Maj. Andrews courage, superior airmanship and unwavering devotion to duty in the face of
great personal danger were instrumental in accomplishing the hazardous mission and were in keeping
with the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service," the citation
read. In service as in life he conducted himself with selfless and steadfast devotion to duty.
Significant duty stations included MAG-12, Pyongtaek, Korea, HMR-363 Bikini Atoll, VMF-114 Cherry
Point, NC, VMF-334 El Toro, CA, and Marble Mountain, Vietnam. He was a member of the Mustang
Association and Phi Beta Kappa. He graduated with honors from Auburn University in 1972 following
his Vietnam service. Col. Andrew was a member of the Marion First United Methodist Church and was
affiliated with the Emory United Methodist Church. He was preceded in death by his aunt and uncle,
Una Phipps Crowell and Rufus Crowell, who were like second parents to him, his sister, Jeanne Andrew
Pace, on November 24, 2005, and his son, Thomas Clifford Andrew, III, on July 24, 1975.He is
survived by his wife, Katherine Greer Andrew, of Emory; nephews, Mike Pace and wife, Nancy, of
Salem, Va. and Jon Pace and wife, Elen, of Charlotte, N.C.; and other family members, Melissa J.
Brister, Edwin "Skip" Jackson, Chris Jackson, and Noel West. A memorial service will be conducted on
Monday, December 22, 2008 at 7 p.m. at the Emory United Methodist Church with the Rev. David
Jackson officiating. The family will receive friends prior to the service beginning at 6 p.m. Col.
Andrews final resting place will be in Arlington National Cemetery beside his beloved son. Services
at the Old Chapel, Ft. Meyer, Arlington, Va., will be at a later date. Memorial contributions may be
sent to the Injured Marine Semper Fi Fund, 825 College Blvd., Suite 102, PMB 609, Oceanside, CA
92057.Those wishing to express sympathy online may do so by visiting
www.farrisfuneralservice.com.Farris Funeral Service, 427 E. Main St., Abingdon, VA, is serving the
family of Col. Andrew.
Roanoke Times, The (VA) - Thursday, December 18, 2008
Burial information: Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, VA
This information was last updated 05/18/2016
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