Memories of Tom

 Tom and I were best friends in High School. We both went to New Rochelle High School in New York. Our fathers were both stationed at a little army base called Fort Slocum. Tom and I took life saving together and were life guards at the two base beaches. In our spare time we spent hours snorkel diving in the cold Long Island sound. Tom was a friend to everyone he met. I cherish the time that I spent with Tom and his family. I will always be grateful for his friendship and for his sacrifice to his country. You will always be in my thoughts Tom. 
- Keith Soliday

 I knew you as a friend from Fort Slocum. I always thought of you as such a gentle soul.  I was so sorry to hear of your passing many years ago. I hope you know how much we appreciate the sacrifice that you made in behalf of the USA and how proud I am to have known you.  
- Judi Forquer Runyon

Tom was my squad leader in ROTC Summer Camp, Ft. Lewis Washington in 1964. It was obvious he would be an outstanding officer. He knew everything, and was a great help to those like myself who were struggling. No matter what he had to do he always had time to help someone else. We became fast buddies and shared several adventures such as a frantic climb up Mt. Rainier one Sunday morning. Leaving camp at 3:30 AM and returning after midnight. We also had some high times on field exercises and the E&E course avoiding capture and laughing at the same time. We stayed in touch after that summer and were looking forward to serving together if we could arrange it. I didn’t get to Nam until Aug. 1966 and was crushed to learn he was KIA before I even arrived. Tom was a role model for us all and I will never understand why so many better officers than I died.  
-  Andrew Lattu

 Tom was a distinguished cadet in our University of Hawaii ROTC Brigade. He was dedicated to the Army, a great buddy, and a true Hawaiian. We all knew his enthusiasm would make him a successful Infantry leader. Losing him so early after his commissioning, served as a personal motivator to all of his ROTC classmates. We miss him terribly. God bless his soul.  
- Stan Dahlin

A portion of a story in the Honolulu Advertiser when Tom was wounded in another battle (with a funny comment about it!) . . . however the ‘rest of the story’ is in the letter to his ROTC buddies.  Bob Jones, a reporter in Vietnam for the Advertiser, was with Tom in Vietnam and 2/27 Infantry “Wolfhounds” up until his death.   Tom’s dad, CWO James Blevins, a career Army veteran, served in Vietnam along with Tom in the 25th ID Division Support Battalion.  Upon his son’s death, he proudly commented that Tom “never complained about the war.  He knew he had a job to do in Vietnam.”   The last thing he reminded Tom was “Don’t be a hero, just do the job the best you can.”  Tom ultimately was a hero to his family and his buddies back in ROTC as you will see in the letter below and the comment in the preceding paragraph by Stan Dahlin.

 

Tom's Letters to His ROTC Buddies - March 1966