McCALL - Thomas E.
Msgt. THOMAS EDWARD McCALL
The Medal of Honor award is the highest military decoration granted to a serviceman and believe me, Thomas Edward McCall was one deserving recipient. The medal itself dates back to the middle of the Civil War when the government realized the bravery of so many putting their own lives in jeopardy for others. That Thomas McCall did spending ten months in a Prisoner of War camp immediately following his actions. His amazing feat before he was captured was with his unit Co F, 143rd of the 36th Infantry Division. On his citation, it stated that he displayed outstanding aggressiveness. Now, follow along as this is war movie material. “He ran forward with a machine gun on his hip, reaching a point about 30 yards from the enemy. Firing two bursts into the German nest, he killed or wounded all of that crew, putting their machine gun out of action. A second machine gun group opened fire on him and he rushed its position, firing his weapon from his hip, killing all four of the guncrew. A third machine gun, 50 yards behind these two were delivering a tremendous volume of fire upon the American troops. McCall spotted its position and valiantly went toward it in the face of overwhelming enemy fire. He was last seen courageously moving forward on the enemy position, firing his machine gun from his hip!”
This was on January 22, 1944 (after losing their two large machine guns) when the “dark, wavy-haired young soldier with deep-set penetrating eyes and a square-set chin, led his gun squad in an infantry attack across the Rapido River near the village of San Angelo, Italy.” Thinking McCall was dead, he was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor “posthumously,” but of course he wasn’t dead but was a POW (which was also suspicioned). He joined the service in 1939 from Veedersburg and even after what he had been through he went on to fight in the Korean War as well. Stationed at Ft. Ben in the late 1950s, he was still in the service (US Advisery Group in Washington) when the 49-year-old drowned in another heroic event, trying to save his 8-year-old son (who was then saved by onlookers). They had been fishing in the Susquehanna River near the Connewingo Dam on September 19th in 1965. He left that son, Thomas E. McCall, Jr. and his wife, Maxine. Young Tom continued in his father’s stead serving in the US Marines and Vietnam. He also loved fishing his whole life, as well as enjoying animals serving in several capacities aiding animals in many ways.
This was on January 22, 1944 (after losing their two large machine guns) when the “dark, wavy-haired young soldier with deep-set penetrating eyes and a square-set chin, led his gun squad in an infantry attack across the Rapido River near the village of San Angelo, Italy.” Thinking McCall was dead, he was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor “posthumously,” but of course he wasn’t dead but was a POW (which was also suspicioned). He joined the service in 1939 from Veedersburg and even after what he had been through he went on to fight in the Korean War as well. Stationed at Ft. Ben in the late 1950s, he was still in the service (US Advisery Group in Washington) when the 49-year-old drowned in another heroic event, trying to save his 8-year-old son (who was then saved by onlookers). They had been fishing in the Susquehanna River near the Connewingo Dam on September 19th in 1965. He left that son, Thomas E. McCall, Jr. and his wife, Maxine. Young Tom continued in his father’s stead serving in the US Marines and Vietnam. He also loved fishing his whole life, as well as enjoying animals serving in several capacities aiding animals in many ways.
Born in Burrton, Harvey County, Kansas, McCall grew-up in Alamo and Attica in a large family, having several brothers: Hubert, Dewey, Shelby and Russell and at least three sisters, Mary, Ella and Lois. His parents were Josephine and Richard, both born in Kentucky. Upon his death, an impressive military service was held with a white-gloved honor guard, 21-gun salute, bugler, and the 74th US Army Band from Ft. Benjamin Harrison. He is buried at Springvale Cemetery in Lafayette.
That’s not all, though! Besides the Medal of Honor, this man tallied THREE Purple Hearts, the Silver Star and Bronze Star and a Fountain citizen of whom we can be quite proud! Rest in Peace, Master Sgt. Thomas E. McCall.
Sources: Indianapolis News 25 Sept 1965; findagrave – bio by Don Morfe; Medal of Honor award; Indianapolis Star 24 Sept 1965; Indianapolis News 25 March 1963; Lafayette Journal and Courier 28 June 1965 and 5 May 2011; ; various census records; application for government tombstone -- & thanks to Sharon Roberts for the suggestion to add the Sargent to the Who’s Who page
Sources: Indianapolis News 25 Sept 1965; findagrave – bio by Don Morfe; Medal of Honor award; Indianapolis Star 24 Sept 1965; Indianapolis News 25 March 1963; Lafayette Journal and Courier 28 June 1965 and 5 May 2011; ; various census records; application for government tombstone -- & thanks to Sharon Roberts for the suggestion to add the Sargent to the Who’s Who page
