More detail on this person: TOM J. PERKINS 1947 Cullum No. 16366-1947 | February 24, 1973 | Died in Germany Interred in Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery, San Antonio, TX ________________________________________ "The General was a man who treated me like a person and really gave me a chance. I liked to work for him and I felt good doing it." So said this young enlisted soldier to the family of Brigadier General Tom J. Perkins upon the general's sudden and unexpected death on 24 February 1973, in Schwabisch Gmund, Germany. If death at such an early point in Tom's life was to be God's will, then to have it occur while he was in command of troops is both just and suitable. Surely, if Tom could have made the choice, it was what he would have wanted. Tom's career was marked always by concern for his subordinates, by strict fidelity to duty, by courage of his convictions, by skill on the field, and by display of those paradoxical and unique qualities which typify a leader of men. His keenness of intellect, his warm personality, his sparkling good humor, and his dedication to a full, worthy, and purposeful life made him the complete man, the complete soldier, and ultimately the complete general. Motivated by a great but selfless desire to achieve high responsibility in the Army, he was tempered by an uncompromising adherence to honesty and sincerity and an abhorrence for pomposity and sham. His professional and personal views embodied the best blend of the traditional and the progressive. The Army recognized him by making him a general-and Tom was grateful. His new rank gave him the opportunity to be of more influence in shaping the Army of the future. But for him, personally, the honor did not mean that much-his conception of a good officer did not depend on rank or title. While Tom received his share of accolades, awards, and decorations, he was more likely to display his pride when sharing with friends the activities and accomplishments of his tender and loyal wife, Gibby, and their devoted daughters and sons, Carolyn and Amanda, Scott and Doug. Tom's devotion to both the Army and his family was mirrored by his deep and strong Christian faith. It was this faith that served him in his early years when, with unswerving belief and without bitterness, he faced inordinate personal adversities in health and the premature passing of his mother and father. It was this same faith that was memorialized by the Episcopal Congregation of the Old Post Chapel at Fort Sill when in recognition of his support and participation, the church members erected a bronze plaque in his memory. For it was in this historic chapel that Tom knew the honor and joy of serving as senior warden of the Episcopal Congregation. Born Tom Judson Perkins, on 24 May 1925, in Columbus, Ohio, Tom was the son of Army parents, Colonel and Mrs. Clell Perkins. In his pre-West Point years, he lived on various Army posts where he developed a love for the Army that inevitably led him to the Military Academy in July 1944. His beloved sister Carolyn and her late husband, Colonel G.L. Roberson Class of '33, inspired him to continue the family's military tradition and to seek Senator Taft's appointment. Cadet life served to illuminate and nurture those personality and character traits for which Tom was to become known in later years. These were accurately capsuled by the Howitzer, which prophesied, "_his whole manner indicates a vigorous personality which will carry him far in the pursuit of his Army career." Upon graduation and commissioning in June 1947, Tom continued his professional schooling at Fort Riley, Fort Bliss, and Fort Sill. The Bliss and Sill assignments provided him with the opportunity to pursue and win his high school sweetheart, Miss Florence (Gibby) Gibson, and marriage vows were exchanged on 19 June 1948 in San Antonio, Texas. Shortly thereafter he departed for Japan and assignment with the 24th Infantry Division, where he served in troop assignments until the Korean War. The day that the Korean War broke out, the 24th Division was alerted to move to Korea, but Tom was hospitalized for an emergency appendectomy that placed his life in jeopardy. Nonetheless, he joined his unit in Korea within five weeks and served with such distinction in those early days of the war that he received a battlefield promotion to captain in August 1950. Returning to the US to attend the Artillery Advanced Course in June 1951, Tom was alarmed to learn that he had contracted tuberculosis in Korea. For two years at Fitzsimmons Hospital, Tom impatiently awaited his recovery and a medical determination as to his future, civilian or soldier. His stubborn persuasiveness convinced the medical authorities, and he returned to duty and completed the advanced schooling. After three years with troops in Germany, he became the assistant professor of Military Science and Training at Florence State College, Florence, Alabama. This was followed by the C&GSC, Fort Leavenworth. Tom reached one of his goals in 1961 when he was selected for assignment to the faculty at the Military Academy and given the opportunity to place the military tradition in historical perspective for future Army officers. On leaving West Point, he welcomed the challenge and responsibility of senior advisor to a Vietnamese division in South Vietnam, 1964-65. He achieved another of his goals when he returned from South Vietnam to take command of a Field Artillery battalion at Fort Sill. His success in this command assignment was matched by Gibby, who received the coveted Molly Pitcher Award for exemplary contributions in post and community affairs. Tom was ever so proud of this recognition of Gibby by the Fort Sill community. His tour again cut short in order that he could fill a responsible position in the Office of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Tom settled into the life of a Pentagon staff officer with zeal. However, the Army was in a hurry, and after one year, he was dispatched to Carlisle and the Army War College. Upon his graduation, the selection process singled Tom out, and he reached yet another of his goals-a colonel's command. And so, in 1969, his family wished him "good shooting" and saw him off for Korea and command of the 2d Infantry Division Artillery. After leaving his distinctive imprint on the command, Tom proceeded to Fort Leavenworth in 1970 and added his talents and energies to the combat development efforts. Yet another tour was abbreviated when he was selected to be Chief of Staff, The Artillery Center and School, Fort Sill, and in the summer of 1971, he transferred to that coveted assignment in "redleg" land. It was during this assignment that the Department of the Army announced that Tom was to be a brigadier general. On 11 December 1972, Gibby pinned the stars on Tom, and he departed for Europe, where he assumed command of the 56th Field Artillery Brigade. In only three short months, Tom's mark on the brigade was clearly discernible. His death came shortly after his return to his command from the U.S., where he had observed a missile firing by one of his units, had visited his family, and had made final arrangements for his family to join him. His decorations included the Bronze Star Medal, Legion of Merit, Air Medal, Combat Infantryman Badge, Joint Service Commendation Medal and Meritorious Service Medal. Services were held for Tom on 2 March 1973, at Saint David's Episcopal Church, San Antonio, Texas, and, surrounded by a host of friends, he was laid to rest in Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery. In a final farewell salute to Tom on this day, a general officer who knew Tom well wrote: "He challenged us all with his example to be better men and women. Christian to the very depth of his soul, he cared far more for others than for himself alone. He inspired us with his steadfastness and unwavering devotion to duty, honor and country. With warmth and humor, yet with unquestioned and unquestioning seriousness of purpose, he performed his chosen profession of arms with fortitude, courage and complete dedication. Cherished husband; proud father; superb officer-we are all forever grateful for that essence of spirit that we are privileged and blessed to have absorbed from having known him. On 24 May 1925, a soldier was born. On 24 February 1973, a general officer quietly hung up his new uniform and departed active duty. -A CLOSE FRIEND-
Burial information: Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery, San Antonio, TX
This information was last updated 03/23/2020
Please send additions or corrections to: HQ@vhpa.org VHPA Headquarters
Return to the Helicopter Pilot DAT name list
Return to VHPA web site
Date posted on this site: 03/10/2024
Copyright © 1998 - 2024 Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association