Thomas Charles Mason
Born: 28 January 1931 Eustace Texas
Enlistment date: 2 August 1949
Deployments: Korea 1950-1952; Laos 1960-61; Vietnam 1968-1969
Units: 2nd Inf Div Korea
7th SFG (Abn) Laos
268th Aviation Brigade RVN
Rank: MSG
Specializations: Intelligence, Reconnaisance, Law Enforcement, SF Qualified.
Qualifications: Basic Airborne Course, 82nd ABN Div, CIB 2nd award, Expert Marksman, Jungle Expert, Arabic Language Qualified
Decorations: Senior Parachutist, Air Medal, Korea Service Ribbon, Vietnam Service Ribbon, Bronze Star, Army Commendation Medal, Army Acheivment Medal European Occupation Ribbon
Retirement Date: 6 March 1970
Other Information:
MSG Thomas C. Mason, U.S. Army-Retired, passed away at his home in Ft. Worth, Texas on Monday April 26, 2004. He was 73 years old.
MSG Mason was born on a farm near Eustace, Kaufman County Texas on January 28th, 1931. One of 17 children, Thomas and Juanita Mason raised cotton, corn, livestock and kids in Kaufman and later in Grayson County Texas. He was pulling a burlap sack in the cotton field when he was 5 years old, and learned the value of hard work at an early age.
He entered the U.S. Army on August 2, 1949, and completed Basic Training at Camp Chaffee Arkansas, and Advanced Infantry Training at Ft. Bliss Texas. He served in the 2nd Infantry Division in the Korean War, as a 7th Special Forces Group Airborne Advisor in Laos, and as an Operations Sergeant with 268th Aviation Brigade in Vietnam. He retired in 1970 with 21 years Active Duty.
He was a No-Nonsense Regular Army Non Commissioned Officer who encouraged and expected your best efforts on the tasks set before you. He graduated from Jump School with the 82nd Airborne Division at Ft. Bragg, NC, where he spent 8 years of his career. As a ‘Trooper he took great pride in being a member of Special Forces in the early years before the Green Beret was thought of. He inspired his youngest son to be the Jet Pilot that he always wanted to be, and inspired his oldest son to be the Parachutist he was.
On Veteran’s Day 1969, MSG Mason and 6 of his brothers were Military Pall Bearers as they laid their brother David to rest, who died in the Vietnam War. Those 8 brothers had given 84 years of Service to the United States, 11 of those years in Combat during World War 2, Korea, Laos, and Vietnam.
He maintained close relationships with his fellow members of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the American Legion, and the Billy M. Smith Chapter of the Special Forces Association. He felt it was his honour and his duty to serve this country with many great Soldiers
He encouraged education to everyone he knew including himself, graduating from Tarleton State University’s Horse Program with Honors in 1983 at the young age of 52. After his Army retirement he pursued a career as a Farrier, first as an Instructor and later in his own business. He was a previous Manager at the Cattlemen’s Steakhouse in the Ft. Worth Stockyards, the best place in town to eat.
He married Elda Louisa Moro in Salzburg, Austria on September 15, 1955. They enjoyed 46 years of marriage before her passing in 2002. They travelled across 2 oceans and across the country during their Military years, enjoying their two children and as well in later years their 5 grandsons. Like with their children, Nanny tended to let them slide but Poppa had them walk the line.
MSG Mason is survived by his sons, Army CPT Thomas C. Mason and his wife Cathy of Springtown; Air Force MAJ Steve Mason and his wife Sandy of Ft. Worth; 4 grandsons, Travis, Nathan, John and Steven Mason; his mother Juanita Mason of Bells, Texas. Brothers include Ray, Robert, L.D., James and Rodger Mason. Sisters include Vida Pearson, Ruth Bryant, Lois, Mable, Neva, and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. He was preceded in death by his wife Louisa in 2002, a grandson Thomas in 1993, and brothers Johnny, David, and Jack , and sisters Jean , Jessie and Ida Mae.
