Publication:Chattanooga Times Free Press
Date:Friday, April 01, 2005
Section:Front Page; Page:1

By Herman Wang Staff Writer

EVIERVILLE, Tenn. — One by one, family, friends and neighbors stopped by the casket draped with the American flag to pay their final respects Thursday to Sgt. Paul William Thomason III.

They remembered the Tennessee National Guardsman of the 278th Regimental Combat Team, who was killed March 20 by a roadside bomb. They called the sergeant a patriot, a soldier, a devoted family man and a selfless member of the community.

"He believed in liberty and justice for all, and he believed that mankind everywhere should be free," the Rev. Benny Gann said during the memorial service at First Baptist Church in Sevierville. "He wore that uniform with pride. And when the call came, he didn’t hesitate but was willing to go."

With the body of Sgt. Thomason, 37, surrounded by bouquets of flowers, a video showing pictures of his life played overhead. Several hundred mourners, including members of all four branches of the military, attended the service for the Jefferson City, Tenn., soldier.

Sgt. Thomason’s wife, Amanda, held back tears as she read two poems in memory of her husband.

"I looked at him in uniform, so young, so tall, so proud. With his hair cut square and eyes alert, he’d stand out in any crowd," she read. "I thought, how many men like him had fallen through the years? How many died on foreign soil, how many mothers’ tears? How many pilots’ planes shot down, how many foxholes were soldiers’ graves? No, freedom is not free."

The Rev. Curtis Wells told Sgt. Thomason’s four children — Megan, 10; Piper, 7; Cora Mae, 4; and Asher, 2 — to stay brave. "In your days ahead, don’t walk with your head down; walk in victory," Mr. Wells said. "That’s what this gentleman stood for. Thank God for men like that."

Sgt. Thomason, who joined the 278 th in 2000, was killed about 10 miles from Kirkuk, Iraq, during a convoy from Tikrit to Tuz, officials said. He died just three days after celebrating his fifth wedding anniversary with Amanda.

Four other 278th soldiers were wounded in the ambush. Sgt. Thomason was the first 278 th soldier to die in combat since the Korean War, officials said.

During the memorial service Maj. Gen. Gus Hargett Jr., Tennessee’s adjutant general, awarded Sgt. Thomason six medals: the Bronze Star, Purple Heart, Good Conduct Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary and Service medals and the Tennessee National Guard Distinguished Service Medal.

Reading from a statement as Maj. Gen. Hargett presented the medals, Capt. Guy Jester of the 278 th said, "He gave the ultimate sacrifice during combat operations supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. Sgt. Thomason’s duty performance and selfless service are in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself, the Multinational Corps Iraq and the United States Army."

Later in the afternoon, Sgt. Thomason was laid to rest at Knob Creek Cemetery in Seymour, Tenn.

Six soldier pallbearers brought the casket carrying his body to his final resting place, while seven riflemen gave a 21-gun salute. After a prayer, a trumpeter played taps, and the flag covering Sgt. Thomason’s casket was folded and presented to his wife. Staff Sgt. Donald Brown, who served with Sgt. Thomason when he was assigned to the G Troop in Greeneville, Tenn., said the Sevier County native and lifelong resident always served with distinction and honor.

"I once told him his boots were too shiny. That’s how much pride he had," Sgt. Brown said. "As a section leader, I couldn’t ask for anyone better. He was always willing to learn, real motivated."

Lt. Heath Mullins, Sgt. Thomason’s executive officer in Iraq, said the sergeant was a devout Christian who was always ready to help his fellow soldiers. "Tall Paul," as several of his fellow soldiers called him, spent much of his free time making furniture for other soldiers, Lt. Mullins said.

"He was always quick with a smile, and I never saw him in a bad mood," Lt. Mullins said.

Sgt. Thomason’s cousin, Brent Allen, said he should be remembered foremost for his dedication to his country and family.

"Everybody loved to be around him," Mr. Allen said. "He was proud to be a soldier. He was a great soldier."

E-mail Herman Wang at hwang@timesfreepress.com

SGT Paul W. Thomason III

Staff Photo by Kathleen Greeson Maj. Gen. Gus Hargett Jr. presents an American flag to the family of Sgt. Paul Thomason III during a graveside funeral service Thursday at Knob Creek Cemetery in Seymour, Tenn., where hundreds of mourners gathered. Sgt. Thomason was a National Guardsman with the 278 th Regimental Combat Team who was killed in Iraq on March 20 by a roadside bomb.

Staff Photo by Kathleen Greeson The body of Sgt. Paul Thomason III is carried during a graveside funeral service Thursday at Knob Creek Cemetery in Seymour, Tenn.

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