More detail on this person: Thomas Francis Bryan May 8, 1931 - May 26, 2022 LTC Thomas Francis Bryan, US Army, retired, 91, devoted husband of Elysabeth "Beth" Bryan, passed away on Thursday, May 26, 2022. Born in McKeesport, PA, he was the son of the late Edwin and Cora Tiernan Bryan. Tom was a graduate of McKeesport High School in PA. He then went on to attend Penn State University, before transferring to University of Florida where he received his bachelor's degree. He also earned a master's degree in agriculture and horticulture. Tom proudly served his country for 25 years in the United States Army, serving in Korea and the Vietnam War. During his first tour in Vietnam, he was in the 1st Calvary Division in the Vietnam Highlands. On the second tour he was an advisor of Team 162 also known as the "Red Hats," an advisory to the Vietnamese Airborne. Tom retired as a Lieutenant Colonel having earned numerous awards including the Legion of Merit (2 oak leaf clusters), Silver Star, Distinguished Flying Cross, Bronze Star (2 oak leaf clusters), 28 Air Medals (4 for Valor), 2 Purple Hearts, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal (2 oak leaf clusters), Vietnamese Medal of Honor, Vietnamese Staff Officers Medal, 2 Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palms, Combat Infantry Badge, Master Army Aviator Badge, Senior Paratrooper Badge, and Vietnamese parachute badge. Prior to military retirement, Tom was the professor of Military Science at Furman University. Following his military career, he was the owner and broker of Century 21 Bryan Realty. He was a member of the Rotary Club of Pleasantburg as well as the Ancient Order of Hibernians, Division I, Greenville - charter president. Tom's other memberships included being a Charter Member of Knights of Columbus council 9184, a former Grand Knight, 4th Degree Member, and the Military Officers Association of America (MOAA). Tom was also a member of Prince of Peace Catholic Church. In addition to his wife of 69 years, Beth, his legacy will continue on with his four wonderful children, Thomas "Tom" Francis Bryan, Jr. of Easley, Maribeth Galloway of Greenville, Pat Bryan and wife, Anne, of Anderson, and David Bryan and wife, Soo, of Swanee, GA; 13 grandchildren; and nine great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his infant son, Michael. A memorial Mass will be celebrated on Friday, June 10, 2022, at 11:00 a.m. in Prince of Peace Catholic Church followed by a reception in Croghan Hall until 12:45 p.m. Military burial will be held in M. J. Dolly Cooper Veterans Cemetery in Anderson, SC. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the American Diabetes Association, Rotary Foundation, or a charity of one's choice.
Burial information: M. J. Dolly Cooper Veterans Cemetery
This information was last updated 01/04/2023
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Date posted on this site: 03/10/2024
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