THOMAS ARCHER MIDDLEBORO'S FIRST WW2 CASUALTY

REMEMBER THE FALLEN

..............THOMAS C. ARCHER MIDDLEBORO’S FIRST WW2 CASUALTY

.............By Bob Lessard Historian Post 64
......(Periodically, the Gazette will publish biographical sketches of Middleboro’s war casualties. This is intended to remember the sacrifices of all veterans and those who gave their lives to our country. ALL GAVE SOME, SOME GAVE ALL.)

......It was on Christmas day, December 25, 1942, at 4:25 p.m., when 2nd Lieutenant Thomas C. Archer was killed in an aircraft accident in Alaska. He became the first Middleboro man to lose his life during World War 2.

.......According to military reports sent to his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Hiram Archer of River Street, Lieutenant Archer’s aircraft crashed while flying on one engine during a difficult approach to an Alaskan airfield. His parents had received letters from two Army Generals, George C. Marshall and H. H. Arnold about the accident.

.......Accounts of Thomas Archer’s death was reported in two editions of the Middleboro Gazette, January 8 and 29, 1943.The Middleboro man had been stationed to the Alaskan area on October 21, 1942. His parents were unware of his exact destination nor his mission. He had served with the 332nd Flight Squadron.

.......Thomas was born in Middleboro on October 25, 1918. He had attended schools in Middleboro and had graduated from Memorial High School with the Class of 1937. He was a member of Pro Merito Society and a commencement speaker.

.......While in High School, he took an interest in flying and took private lessons at Brockton airport. He earned his pilot’s license shortly after graduating from College.

.......He entered studies at Harvard College in 1937, where he majored in mathematics. He enrolled in the ROTC while at Harvard and also took an aviation course. Shortly before receiving his degree he received his Second Lieutenant’s commission. He was named to the Dean’s list during his last three years at Harvard.

.......In August of 1941, he was called to active duty in field artillery and was sent to Fort Sill in Oklahoma. He transferred to the Army Air Corps for training at Randolph Field in Texas, which at the time was called “The West Point of the Air.” He also received air training at the Gulf Coast Center and at Pine Bluffs, Arkansas.

.......A Memorial service for Thomas was held at the family home on January 2, 1943. The Reverend James L. Hynes, pastor of the Central Baptist Church conducted the service. Representing John Glass, Jr., Post 2188 VFW, was Commander Harold Jackson and the Auxiliary was President Marion Caswell. The sounding of “Taps” concluded the service. Thomas was laid to rest in Nemasket Hill Cemetery.

.......Lieutenant Archer is remembered in Middleboro by his name engraved in the World War 2 section of the Central Casualty Stone in Middleboro’s Veterans Memorial Park.

.......Also, his name is posted in the World War 2 section of Mertie Romaine’s “History of the Town of Middleboro 1905-1965.” And, from her history report we learn that a committee was formed on October 3, 1947 to establish a Veteran’s Housing Committee. (See pages 140-141)

.......At a special town meeting on June 11, 1948 it was voted to form a Middleboro Housing Authority, which would create a veterans housing development. A four acre plot off Mayflower Avenue was built upon for at least 28 veteran families according to Romaine’s book.
The area was named “Thomas C. Archer Court” to be administered by the Housing Authority.

.......Several years ago, a new sign re-designating the area with a Memorial Stone placed at the corner of Archer Court and Mayflower Avenue. Family members, with an assist by then Middleboro’s Veterans Service Officer Paul Provencher, attended a small dedication ceremony at the site.