William Garfield Thomas Jr. (September 13, 1916 - October 12, 1942) was born in Watsontown, Pennsylvania.
When his "turret was hit by enemy fire and danger of ... explosions grew increasingly imminent, Lt.
Thomas with utter disregard of his own personal safety remained behind to ensure abandonment of the perilous area .
The ship was laid down September 23, 1943 by the Federal Shipbuilding & Dry Dock Co., Newark, New Jersey; launched December 12, 1943; sponsored by Lt. Betty K. Thomas, Nurse Corps, United States Army, sister of Lt.
The Garfield Thomas Water Tunnel operated by the Pennsylvania State University Applied Research Laboratory is named in his honor; completed on October 7, 1949.