THE WALL OF FACES

• Another PC Classmate, ROTC Cadet, and hometown close friend, DAN SCOTTI, shared some additional memories and insights:
Tom Gill’s outward demeanor was one of a fun-loving, carefree guy who loved life and loved living it. But underneath he had a passion to perform with excellence. He always committed to doing a job to the best of his ability in the friendliest of ways.
During our junior year in the ROTC program, the Army allowed us to choose our preferred branch in which to serve while on active duty. The selection process was limited to three (3) choices, provided that at least one selection was a combat arm, such as Infantry or Artillery. The remaining two non-combat picks could be drawn from a number of military support branches, like Finance. Furthermore, one’s selections were allowed be submitted in order of preference. Hence, the “safer” choices could be ranked first and second, thereby increasing one’s chances for future survival.
These were important considerations back then as the war in Vietnam loomed ever larger in our lives. Ultimately, however, Uncle Sam made the final choice for the 96 ROTC cadets the PC class of 1968.
It’s uncertain as to how/why Tom Gill became a combat infantry officer because so few of us picked it or were assigned to it. My feeling is that Tom, like most of us wanting to keeping faith with our fathers from the WWII generation, chose the unsafe option. I believe that he simply wished to do the right thing by serving his country and doing so how and where it would count the most. I never sensed any reservation in him about this – except when I later learned that he had separately visited my parents before shipping out and told them of his strong premonition that he would not be coming back alive.
• Lt. Gill joined Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, 35th Infantry Regiment, stationed in the Central Highlands of the Republic of Vietnam, in July 1969. He saved one of his soldiers’ life on September 12th and was subsequently killed in action on December 7th.
Remembrance Compiled & Offered by:
John Eagan, PC/ROTC 1968, CPT, USAR MP, 1969-72
October 2018
PAX et VERITAS

Further History*
• Tom Gill III and his sister, Marcia, were born a year apart in the Irish section of blue-collar Pawtucket, Rhode Island in the mid-1940’s. She became a teacher (like her mother, Harriet, nee, Cavanagh ) and is now retired living in Florida.*
• Their father, Thomas Patrick Gill, Jr., was a Letter Carrier for the USPS and took the city bus to work.*
• Tom attended Tolman Public High School in Pawtucket, RI, because the parochial school, St. Rafael, had no more openings. He became a Boy Scout, and worked summers as a certified Lifeguard at local public pools.*
• He then attended PC as a day-student which offered him the most affordable, quality education in the area, whereupon in June 1968 he received both a BS degree in Accounting and, as an ROTC Cadet, a Commission as a 2nd Lieutenant in the US Army Infantry.
• After graduation, and while awaiting his further military orders during the summer of 1968, Tom worked as a substitute teacher in the Pawtucket school system, as well as earning an internship with the new Mastercard company and lived briefly in Queens, NY. (An earlier acceptance by Columbia University Graduate Law School had to be deferred until completion of his military obligation.)*

From Infantry Officers School, Classmate Nick Harty
I served with Thomas at Fort Benning, GA, while we both attended the IOBC #6 class late 1968 thru early 1969. A great guy, good natured and always with a smile. What a tragic loss. I still think of him after all of these years. Rest in peace, and may God bless you and all of your loved ones.
Nick Harty
Comrade in Arms
Offered on 10/23/18 by PC’68 Classmate and Fellow ROTC Cadet, Stephen Eno
Our ROTC Cadet Basic Training took place at Fort Devens, Mass. during the summer of 1967, in between Junior and Senior years at PC. Shortly after reporting to my unit on the first day, I was assigned to Kitchen Police (aka, KP) duty at the company mess hall to peel potatoes for the next day’s meal. I was further notified that I’d been selected to act as the unit Platoon Leader – also the very next day.
While peeling my potatoes under the watchful eye of the Mess Sgt. and wondering how I was going to find the time and energy to prepare for the looming leadership test, I was approached by Tom Gill who was also in my unit. After confiding my fears to him, Tom simply responded: “How can I help you?”
To this day, I’m not sure if he meant peeling the potatoes or how to act as a Platoon Leader, all I remember is his sincere desire to assist. To me—this was/is the essence of Thomas Patrick Gill III….

From Fellow Platoon Leader, Jeffrey Rogers
Thomas Gill was a fellow LT and my best friend in Vietnam. As I recall he had studied to be (or had already become) a lawyer and I believe he was from RI.
We were both rifle platoon leaders in the same company. Our platoons operated together on occasion, but mostly separately. When operating separately we rendezvoused every three days to be resupplied.
On December 7, 1969 while operating separately, an enemy soldier happened upon LT Gill's platoon position around nightfall. The enemy soldier was about 15 meters down a path from the platoon position when he made enough noise to be noticed. LT Gill bravely left the platoon position to investigate the noise. He surprised the lone soldier who by that time was hiding in the bushes. The startled enemy fired a burst from his AK47 and fled. Unfortunately one round hit Tom in the neck and killed him.
I was on a firebase getting ready to return to my platoon (also operating separately - out on patrol) when the action occurred. I was flown immediately to the site where LT Gill was killed and was thus able to ascertain first-hand what occurred.
LT Gill was a fearless leader who always exhibited a bravado that built confidence among his soldiers. We thought alike and dealt with many issues similarly. I miss Tom to this day.
Jeffrey C. Rogers
COL, USA Ret

Do not stand at my grave and weep
I am not there. I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow.
I am the diamond glints on snow.
I am the sunlight on ripened grain.
I am the gentle autumn rain.
When you awaken in the morning's hush
I am the swift uplifting rush
Of quiet birds in circled flight.
I am the soft stars that shine at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry;
I am not there. I did not die.