Wilson, Thomas N. (Thomas Norville), 1917-2006

Thomas Norville Wilson (b. 1917, Trinidad, Co.-d. Aug. 11, 2006), U.S. Air Force officer, was commissioned via ROTC when he graduated from university with a degree in engineering in 1938. He went on active duty in 1941, transferring to the Army Air Corps and completing pilot training. His first assignment was at the Newfoundland Base Command. In 1944 he joined the 427th Night Fighter Squadron as operations officer and commander, participating in 67 combat missions in Europe and in the China-Burma-India Theater. For five years after the War he served with various Air Defense Command (ADC) organizations, and continued with ADC as deputy for operations, 25th Air Division HQ, until 1953. He went to Greece that year as deputy for operations, Air Force Section, Joint U.S. Military Advisory Group. Back in the U.S. in 1956, General Wilson again joined ADC, serving with the 4708th Air Defense Wing, and later as commander, 412th Fighter Group. During the 1960s he commanded Air Task Force Thirteen-redesignated 327th Air Division-and, in addition, was chief of the Air Force Section, Military Assistant Advisory Group to the Republic of China. He also was assigned as deputy chief of staff for plans, Pacific Air Forces HQ, and deputy director of plans, Air Force HQ. He retired in 1969.