2nd LT Thomas Calvin Street
October 17, 1924- February 11, 1945
Class: 44-G-SE
Graduation Date: August 4, 1944
Unit: 332nd Fighter Group, 99th Fighter Squadron
Service # O-835415
Thomas was born in 1924, the son of Thomas Street and Sarah Tucker. He was one of eight children, born in Springfield, New Jersey. He attended Dayton High School in Springfield, and was Class President in 1938 and Vice President in 1940. He was known as “Tommy” in high school, and was highly recognized for his athletic and academic abilities. His senior photo states that he was “the best man on the football team.” He graduated in 1942.
He attended the Tuskegee Air Pilot program, earning his wings on Aug. 3 1944. He was given the rank of 2nd Lt and assigned to the 332nd Fighter Group, 99th Fighter Squadron, stationed in Ramitelli, Italy. There is very little known about the circumstances surrounding 2nd Lt. Street’s action the day that he went missing. The flight leader on the mission, 1st Lt. Richard S. Harder, heard the call from 2nd Lt. Vincent Mitchell that an aircraft was seen to strike the surface of the Adriatic Sea between Oronto and S. Vito Chientino, Italy, about 1 mile off shore. Harding flew to the scene of the crash and attempted to lead British and Italian boats to the scene of the crash. He circled for 2 hours before returning to his base due to low fuel. Lt. Street’s body was never recovered.
He was declared Missing in Action on Feb 22, 1945. He is memorialized at Tablets of the Missing, American Cemetery, Sicily-Rome, Italy. This is an American Battle Monuments Commission location.
Sources:
HonorStates.org
WikiTree.com
