Eugene Andrew Thomas

CAPTAIN EUGENE ANDREW "ANDY" THOMAS
U.S. Air Force Academy Class of 1959
Cadet Squadron 03

Eugene Andrew "Andy" Thomas hailed from New Orleans, Louisiana. A young man with a deep intellect and a passion for aviation, Andy entered the newly established United States Air Force Academy in the summer of 1955 as a member of the original pioneer Class of 1959. Assigned to Cadet Squadron 03 (CS-03), he quickly made his mark among his classmates as an exceptionally brilliant scholar and dedicated cadet.

CADET LIFE, ACADEMICS & PASSIONS

Among his peers in CS-03, Andy earned the nickname "Andy Airpower" for his passionate, outspoken advocacy for aviation’s central role in national defense. Classmates admired him as a true scholar—a "literary writing genius" with a profound love for books and music, balanced by what many described as sheer "mathematics wizardry."

Andy’s academic excellence culminated in a stellar performance at the Academy. Upon graduation on June 3, 1959, he placed near the very top of his class with a Graduation Order of Merit (GOM) of 15 out of 207 graduating cadets.

MILITARY SERVICE & FLYING CAREER

Following graduation and commissioning as a Second Lieutenant in June 1959, Andy entered Air Force Pilot Training. His flight training journey took him through:

• Moore Air Base, Texas (Primary Pilot Training)

• Greenville Air Force Base, Mississippi (Basic Pilot Training, earning his wings in 1960)

Upon earning his pilot wings, Lieutenant Thomas was assigned to Reese Air Force Base, Texas, where he served as an Instructor Pilot from 1961 to 1964. In 1963, he completed Squadron Officer School (SOS). During his nine years of total military service (inclusive of cadet time and active duty), Andy attained the rank of Captain (O-3) before choosing to transition into civilian industry in 1964.

CIVILIAN CAREER, FAMILY & LEGACY

In 1964, Andy joined IBM in Houston, Texas, as a Marketing Representative. Applying the same analytical brilliance and discipline that characterized his time at the Air Force Academy, he built a distinguished 28-year career with IBM before retiring in 1992.

Outside of his professional life, Andy was a devoted family man who maintained a lifelong love for literature, music, and intellectual pursuits.

On September 3, 1994, Captain Eugene Andrew Thomas passed away in Houston, Texas, following a heart attack. He was survived by his wife, Myleen; his daughter, Mrs. Cathy Champagne; and his sister. His legacy lives on through his family, his IBM career, and his place among the pioneer "First Class" of the United States Air Force Academy.

EDUCATION


1959 United States Air Force Academy B.S. in Military Science (GOM 15)
1960 USAF Primary & Basic Pilot Training Aeronautical Rating: Pilot
1963 Squadron Officer School (SOS) Professional Military Education

SERVICE ASSIGNMENTS


1959–1960 Primary & Basic Pilot Training Moore AB, TX & Greenville AFB, MS
1961–1964 Instructor Pilot Reese AFB, TX
1963 Student Officer Squadron Officer School (SOS), Maxwell AFB, AL
1964–1992 Marketing Representative / Corporate Executive IBM (Houston, TX)

Medals & Awards
• National Defense Service Medal

• Air Force Longevity Service Award

• Air Force Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon

• USAF Pilot Wings