Thomas M. McNamara was born on July 1, 1924, in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He was the son of William D. McNamara and Margaret Helena Kennedy McNamara. Thomas served in the 715th Bomber Squadron, 448th Bomber Group, Heavy, as a Staff Sergeant and Assistant Mechanic on the B-24 #42-7754 "Harmful Lil' Armful" during World War II.

On December 31, 1943, his crew took off from Station 146 airfield in Seething, England, on a bombing mission to Cognac, France. At around 12:00H, their plane was shot down by a German fighter setting the plane's cabin and engine #3 on fire. The crew evacuated the airplane at 18,000 feet. Their plane crashed at Pey du Haut, Queyrac, which is 10km northeast of Lesparre-Médoc in France. As a result of this incident, four crew members were taken as prisoners, two members evaded the capture, and two casualties, who were believed to have been killed by the Germans.

SSgt McNamara was one of those who were killed. According to local witnesses, McNamara was shot on site by the Germans due to his severe burns. He is now buried in the Woodlawn Cemetery, Grand Rapids, Kent County, Michigan, USA.

Source of information: www.findagrave.com, francecrashes39-45.net