Arthur Powell Thomas was born in 1916 to Mr. and Mrs. Sidney Thomas who lived at 365 Church Street in Phoenixville, Pennsylvania.  He was the younger of two children: Grace, and Arthur.  His father, Sidney, was Killed In Action in World War I.

His mother worked as a sales lady, and moved her family to 149 Fifth Avenue.

Arthur (2nd row, 4th from left) played basketball with hero Nick Basca (seated to Arthur's right). Click to Enlarge.

Arthur attended Phoenixville High School, graduating in 1933. He was a member of the

 Central Lutheran Church and the IOOF Lodge 212 - Independent Order of Oddfellow, social organization that strives to improve and elevate the character of man.

He obtained employment at the B.F Goodrich Company at Oaks, just east of Phoenixville.

Arthur entered service in the Army in December 1942. He trained for 2 years with antiaircraft artillery, including a three-month course at a Chicago electrical school.

 In August 1944, Arthur married a nurse, Lois Bailey of Burlington, Iowa. The next month, he received infantry training at Camp Gordon, Georgia.

Arthur was sent overseas to England in January 1945, then to France, serving with Patton’s Third Army, which was pushing across France into Germany.

Private First Class Arthur Powell Thomas was Killed In Action on February 19, 1945 in Germany.

Arthur was awarded the Purple Heart and was buried in the American Cemetery in Duchy, Luxembourg with military honors.

Memorial services for Arthur were held on Sunday April 8^th, at Central Lutheran Church.  Pastor Samuel L. Koons delivered a sermon “Beyond Self” paying high tribute to Arthur and his sacrifice.  James M. Seacrist directed the dedication of a gold star placed by Arthur’s name in the Churches Honor Roll.  Prayers and responses by the congregation on Arthur’s behalf were lead by Reverend Charles F. Trunk, former pastor.  Double taps (taps with an echo by another trumpeter) were sounded.