U.S. Marines – 3rd Engineer Battalion, C (Charlie) Company
Thomas Yowell left for Parris Island, South Carolina on June 21, 1973. He completed his basic training and was sent to Camp Lejeune, North Carolina for Engineer School where he was assigned to the 3rd Engineer Battalion, C (Charlie) Company. After leaving Camp Lejeune in January 1974, Sergeant Yowell boarded the USS Spiegal Grove LSD-32 for the Mediterranean Sea. While in the Mediterranean, he went to ports in Spain, Italy, Turkey, and Cyprus. He also trained with Italian and Greek troops on the island of Crete.
In July 1974, when the Turks invaded Cypress, Thomas’ ship was responsible for the evacuation U.S. citizens from the island.
Thomas returned to Camp Lejeune in August 1974. In the fall of 1974, he was stationed in Okinawa, Japan. He returned home to Capitol Heights in 1975 and then later went to California. His next assignment brought him back to Okinawa in 1978. Returning home in 1979, Thomas started his fire department career with DCFD. Thomas joined the Capitol Heights Volunteer Fire Department in 1970 and is a Lifetime Member.