 He joined Torpedo Squadron 6 (VT-6) aboard aircraft carrier USS "Enterprise" (CV-6) on 13 December 1939 and a year later was promoted to lieutenant, junior grade.Piloting a Douglas TBD-1 Devastator torpedo bomber on 4 June 1942, Thomas gave his life in his squadron's attack during the Battle of Midway.He married Mildred Macklin, a Navy nurse, in Yuma, Arizona, taking out a marriage license on March 1, 1941.