Thomas J. Fox
World War II
Thomas Fox was born south of Templeton on April 27, 1924, to John and Theresa (known as Tress) (Bastendorf) Fox. Thomas’ father died in 1936 and the family moved into Templeton. Thomas attended school in Templeton and graduated from Sacred Heart High School in 1941. A year later, he graduated from Capital City Commercial College in Des Moines.
Thomas registered for the military draft on June 30, 1942, and was living and working in Des Moines. He was inducted into the US Army on January 30, 1943, at Camp Dodge near Des Moines. He was assigned serial number 37659210. His older brother Jim was already serving in the US Army.
By February 19, 1943, Thomas was stationed at Camp Howze near Gainesville, TX for basic training. He was a part of Hq Company, 2nd Battalion of the 342nd Infantry Regiment. This unit was attached to the 86th Infantry Division. This unit was being trained for overseas duty and, by April 14, 1944, was transferred to Camp Livingston near Alexandria, LA for additional training.
The 86th Division did not move to Europe until 1945 but, by late May, 1944, Thomas was on his way to England. He arrived in England immediately after the June 6 D-Day invasion and was assigned to Company TT, 137th Infantry Regiment of the 35th Infantry Division. The 35th Division had its origins with the Kansas National Guard.
The 137th Infantry Regiment moved across the English Channel to Normandy on July 5-July 7, 1944. They experienced their first combat at St. Lo on July 9 as the Allies attempted to break out from the invasion beaches. The fighting continued uninterrupted through July. In early August, 1944, the 35th Division was made a part of George Patton’s Third Army. Fighting continued in northwest France and the 137th Infantry continued to take heavy casualties.
August saw the Allies finally break out of Normandy and the attack across France picked up momentum. It was at this time that Thomas was promoted to Sergeant. The 35th Division captured the cities of Orleans and Nancy. In late October, Thomas met up with Paul Kisgen (a high school classmate) and Melvin Hausman, two Templeton soldiers fighting in the same area.
In early November, the 35th Division was attempting to push the Germans out of France near Metz in the northeastern part of the country. On November 11, 1944, Thomas was killed in action in this area. He suffered severe wounds to his torso and leg from an artillery shell. He was 20 years old.
A funeral service was held at Sacred Heart Church in Templeton on December 11, 1944. Thomas was buried in the Lorraine American Cemetery at St. Avold, France. The location is Block J, Row 26, Grave 7.