Marker Inscription
Born on Sept. 16, 1922, in Texas City, Thomas J. Gary, Jr., attended Somerville Junior High in the 1930s. He returned to Texas City and, in 1940, at age 18, enlisted in the U.S. Navy. A Seaman Second Class, Gary was assigned to the USS California, flagship for the Pacific fleet. Stationed at Hawaii, the ship came under attack at Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941, and Gary Gave his life to rescue several crewmates. Listed as buried at sea, he was honored for his bravery with the Purple Heart, the Bronze Star and a Navy Citation. The Navy also named two ships for him, including The USS Thomas Jj. Gary (de/der-326), a destroyer escort that served around the world from 1943-1973. (2002)
About this site
Thomas J. Gary is a historical marker in Somerville, Burleson County, dedicated in 2002. It is one of 69 historical markers documented in Burleson County in the Texas Historical Commission Atlas, among 133 historic sites cataloged across the county.
The site sits at 30.3429, -96.5337 near Somerville. The nearest cataloged historic site is Woods' (J. L.) Undertaking Company (historical marker), about under a tenth of a mile away. Others within a short drive include First United Methodist Church of Somerville, Somerville, and 1906 Reunion of Hood's Texas Brigade.
This record corresponds to Texas Historical Commission Atlas #5051012776. Use the map below for its exact position and turn-by-turn directions.
