Raymond Edward Thomas was born on June 25, 1925 in Pennsylvania. He was the son of Charles Glakin Thomas and Irene Viola Simpson Thomas. He studied at Nether Providence High School and was employed at the Sun Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Company. Raymond entered the Army in August 1943 and served as a Private during World War II. He was Killed in Action on September 30, 1944 at the age of 19 in Italy and is now buried in the Florence American Cemetery, Impruneta, Italy. A member of the 2nd Battalion, 350th Infantry Regiment, his unit was cited for outstanding performance of duty in action during the period 27 September to 3 October 1944 at Mt. Battaglia, Italy against German forces. For seven days, amidst powerful counterattacks, the men of the battalion repulsed each attack with fighting ability and teamwork, therefore, their objective was accomplished.