Lucky Bag Yearbook

From the 1942 Lucky Bag:

THOMAS BABB

Nino, Tom

Battalion Football; Battalion Boxing; Boat Club 4, 3; Radio Club 4; 2/c PO; 1 Stripe.

Someone’s getting the most out of life—that’s Tommy. He has had his troubles with the academics, but to no great extent, being always able to call on his large store of reserve energy. Swing, caulking-off, and talking are his fortes, besides an interest in the femmes. He has seen much of what the Navy can offer, will be in demand when the call goes out for someone who knows the ropes.

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The Class of 1942 graduated on December 19, 1941, less than two weeks after the United States entered World War II. The class had previously been scheduled to graduate in February 1942.

Loss

Thomas was lost when USS Escolar (SS 294) was sunk, probably by a mine, on or about October 17, 1944.

Other Information

From researcher Kathy Franz:

Thomas attended School 15 and Eastside High School from which he graduated in 1936. He was voted “most bashful.”

He entered the Navy through the Paterson recruiting station receiving training at Newport, Rhode Island. After serving on the battleship West Virginia for nine months, he attended preparatory school at Norfolk for six months. He entered the Naval Academy the hard way, “coming up through the hawse pipe” from the Navy.

After graduating from the Naval Academy, he served aboard a destroyer before taking special radar training. In July 1942, he sailed from Pearl Harbor to San Francisco. Later, he was assigned to submarine duty.

He was survived by his wife, the former Pearl White of Gloucester, Massachusetts, and daughter Sharon, 18 months. His father Walter was foreman of the shipping and receiving department of the Modern Central Silk Dyeing and Finishing Company. His mother was Lena, and three sisters were Mrs. Helen Spinnier, Mrs. James McNamara, and Miss Eleanor.

His wife was listed as next of kin. Thomas has a memory marker in Massachusetts; he is also listed at the Manila American Cemetery and Memorial.

Photographs

From the Lucky Bag

From The Morning Call on July 9, 1938

From The News on December 3, 1941