Thomas Rothwell

Birthplace: Boston, MA

Branch of Service: Army Air Corps

Unit: 507 Bomb Squadron, 316 Bomb Wing, D Flight

Theater of Operation: Pacific

Enlisted / Commissioned: Jun 19, 1942

Discharged: Jan 20, 1946

Highest Rank: Sgt.

Honored By: Wife, Suzanne Rothwell

Tom Rothwell was trained as a B-29 Radio Operator and Mechanic. He was based in Tinian in the Pacific and flew long missions to Vladivostok and Port Arthur. Subsequently, he was based in Okinawa. After Japan surrendered, he was flying a mission to return soldiers to Hawaii and his plane went down in the Pacific. He was fortunate to be able to be pulled into a raft and survivors were picked up by a boat. Tom was one of the ‘greatest generation’ that did not like to talk about his wartime experiences and we only have limited information. After the war, Tom completed three years of college and entered the University of Michigan law school on a full scholarship. Tom graduated with a Juris Doctor degree and worked for the Justice Department, Antitrust Division, Chicago Field Office. He went on to have an honorable and lengthy career as an antitrust law lawyer. Tom lived in Chicago, New York City and then (as of 1975) lived in Vienna, Virginia, which is outside Washington, DC. He died at home on April 1, 1998, very much mourned by his family and friends. We miss his charm, and wit and story-telling. He was an entirely interesting person. Tom was a wonderful husband to me and loving father/grandfather to his children/grandchildren. He was one of five Rothwell brothers that served in World War II. Tom received the Good Conduct Medal, Victory Medal, Asiatic Pacific Theater Campaign Ribbon and American Theater Campaign Ribbon.