Corporal Nathan O. Thomas (1926-
Corporal Nathan Thomas was a recipient of the 2007 Congressional Gold Medal for his service during World War II and is still very proud to wear it
Nathan O. Thomas has distinguished himself as a consistent and reliable individual for well over 95 years. He has been and continues to be a cornerstone of his Philadelphia community and family for many, many years. “Nate,” as he is affectionately called, is a native of Bridgeville, Delaware. As the son of a Methodist minister, he resided and received his elementary and high school education in many areas of Delaware, Maryland and New Jersey.
He graduated from Robert Russo Moton High School in Easton, MD in 1944. Nathan started attending Delaware State College in September 1944, majoring in Industrial Arts initially and then transferred to being a Sociology major with a History minor.
While at Delaware State College, Nathan was captain of the track team and ran in the Pennsylvania Carnival Relays. In July of 1945, his education was interrupted when he was drafted into the United States Army Air Force.
He served in the Army Air Force first in Aberdeen, Maryland, then in Sheppard Field, Texas. In Sheppard Field, Texas, Nathan achieved a high score on the exam that was given and was then sent to Tuskegee, Alabama. While in Tuskegee, Corporal Nathan O. Thomas served as an Information and Education Specialist under Colonel Benjamin O. Davis with the infamous 99th Pursuit Squadron performing administrative duties and bringing vital flight information to the well-known Tuskegee Airmen. World War II ended in 1946 and Nathan completed his military service with an honorable discharge in January 1947.
Nathan returned to Delaware State College in January 1947 and resumed his studies. He was initiated into the Psi Epsilon Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. on May 17, 1947. Nathan was employed by the federal government at the Department of Commerce in Washington, DC, the United States Postal Service in Philadelphia for 31 years and the Philadelphia School District for ten years.
In the Philadelphia community, Nathan was a Democratic Executive Committee person for the 17th Ward, 10th Division as well as being a dedicated supporter of the Delaware State Alumni. Official Bio for Nathan O. Thomas Updated as of December 2022 Mr. Thomas is the recipient of numerous awards and honors, including: United States Postal Service Outstanding Service Award (1981), the Omega Man of the Year Award, Mu Omega Chapter (1983), Certificate of Special Recognition for Service to Methodist Youth Fellowship (1993) and in 2019, Nathan O. Thomas was presented the Tuskegee Airmen Congressional Gold Medal by House of Representative Dwight Evans (D-PA-3rd).
Presently, Mr. Thomas continues to be an active 75-year member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. as well as a very active member of the Philadelphia Chapter of Tuskegee Airmen. He participates in the various outings to make presentations, inform as many people as he can of the famous accomplishments of the Tuskegee Airmen and to serve with honor in parades and exhibitions. Nathan was married for 70 years to the late Lolia T. Thomas and their union produced two daughters, Vendette Thomas and Nathania Johnson and one son, Michael Thomas.
