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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