Thomas originally joined the
Minnesota National Guard in 1953 before joining the
United States Air Force in 1955. His early years were spent as a
Russian language specialist. In 1982, he was named Senior Catholic Chaplain of the
86th Tactical Airlift Wing. He held that position until 1984, when he was assigned to Headquarters
Tactical Air Command. From there, he was Command Chaplain of
Air Force Logistics Command and
Strategic Air Command before becoming
Deputy Chief of Chaplains of the United States Air Force in 1991. He was promoted to Chief of Chaplains with the rank of
major general in 1995 and held the position until his retirement in 1997. Msgr. Thomas died suddenly of a heart attack on Friday, January 19, 2001, in Florida, aged 65. He is buried at
Arlington National Cemetery in Section 2 Site E-287 RH. ==Awards and military decorations==