VIEW ALL PHOTOS (2)
HONORED ON PANEL 9W, LINE 111 OF THE WALL
THOMAS THEODORE HEWITT
WALL NAME
THOMAS T HEWITT
PANEL / LINE
9W/111
DATE OF BIRTH
CASUALTY PROVINCE
DATE OF CASUALTY
HOME OF RECORD
COUNTY OF RECORD
STATE
BRANCH OF SERVICE
RANK
REMEMBRANCES
LEFT FOR THOMAS THEODORE HEWITT
POSTED ON 7.2.2013
POSTED BY: Curt Carter
Remembering An American Hero
Dear Mr. Thomas T Hewitt, sir
As an American, I would like to thank you for your service and for your sacrifice made on behalf of our wonderful country. The youth of today could gain much by learning of heroes such as yourself, men and women whose courage and heart can never be questioned.
May God allow you to read this, and may He allow me to someday shake your hand when I get to Heaven to personally thank you. May he also allow my father to find you and shake your hand now to say thank you; for America, and for those who love you.
With respect, and the best salute a civilian can muster for you, Sir
Curt Carter
As an American, I would like to thank you for your service and for your sacrifice made on behalf of our wonderful country. The youth of today could gain much by learning of heroes such as yourself, men and women whose courage and heart can never be questioned.
May God allow you to read this, and may He allow me to someday shake your hand when I get to Heaven to personally thank you. May he also allow my father to find you and shake your hand now to say thank you; for America, and for those who love you.
With respect, and the best salute a civilian can muster for you, Sir
Curt Carter
POSTED ON 2.26.2012
If I should die...remembranmces for CAPT. Thomas Theodore HEWITT, USA...who died for our country!!!!
If I should die, and leave you here awhile, be not like others, sore undone, who keep long vigils by the silent dust, and weep...for MY sake, turn again to life, and smile...Nerving thy heart, and trembling hand to do something to comfor tother hearts than thine...Complete these dear, unfinished tasks of mine...and I, perchance, may therein comfort you.
POSTED ON 5.2.2011
POSTED BY: Robert Sage
We Remember
Thomas is buried at Saint Katherine Cemetery, Republic County,KS.
POSTED ON 3.30.2011
POSTED BY: Don Godfrey
Tom's Sacrifice
Thomas Theodore Hewitt was from Topeka, Kansas and attended the University of Kansas on an Army ROTC Scholarship. While at KU, he served as the Jayhawk Battalion Operations Officer and Executive Officer; President of the sports parachute club; participated in Pershing Rifles and was selected for the Scabbard and Blade, the ROTC honorary society. At ROTC Advanced Camp before his senior year, Tom was selected as the #1 Cadet in his platoon.
Tom graduated from KU in 1967 with a geography degree and received a Regular Army commission. Tom attended the Infantry Officers Basic Course, Airborne School, and Ranger School. As a First Lieutenant, he served as an advisor to the 39th Vietnamese Ranger Battalion from May 3, 1969 to April 6, 1970 where he received a Bronze Star Medal.
After a month’s leave, Captain Hewitt returned to Vietnam where took command of C Company, 2nd Battalion, 506th Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division in about May 1970. The Battalion Commander, LTC Andre C. Lucas, had taken command in early March and was told to take the fight to the enemy. The 2nd Battalion seized control of a NVA stronghold on a hilltop where they set up Fire Base (FB) Ripcord.
During June 1970, CPT Hewitt’s Charlie Company achieved the most success of any of the companies while on patrol. The Battalion received intelligence that Ripcord would receive an attack no later than July 1. At this time, only D Company was at FB Ripcord while C Company was bivouacked SW of Ripcord at Hill 902. The 2nd Battalion had spent 2 ½ months of hard labor securing FB Ripcord including laying over $50,000 worth of defensive wire.
On July 1, the NVA attacked Ripcord with 60mm and 82mm mortars, Rocket Propelled Grenades (RPGs), and small arms. Charlie Company could see the attack from their higher position and throughout the day, CPT Hewitt directed accurate artillery and helicopter gunship fire down on the enemy. CPT Hewitt also had his M60 machine guns fire at the mortars located between Hill 902 and FB Ripcord. Due to the fog of war, an intelligence report stating that Hill 902 might be attacked did not reach C Company.
In the early morning hours of July 2, NVA soldiers only wearing shorts and with their bodies painted black launched a sapper attack with satchel charges against Hill 902. Initially, C Company did not know if they were under mortar or direct attack. CPT Hewitt was mortally wounded by an RPG explosion while rallying his men to defend the NVA’s follow-on attack. In a battle that lasted over an hour and even after his death, CPT Hewitt’s well-trained company held off the enemy attack and the NVA left at least a couple of dozen dead on the slopes of Hill 902. There was also numerous blood trails indicating that the NVA had carried off many more wounded and dead.
CPT Hewitt’s leadership, encouragement, and personal example prevented the loss of Hill 902. CPT Hewitt and his C Company comrades’ actions on the July 1st and 2nd ensured the survival of FB Ripcord. His actions bring great credit upon himself, C Company, the Currahee Airborne troopers, and the Jayhawk Battalion. CPT Hewitt is indeed deserving of a place on the Jayhawk Wall of Fame.
Tom graduated from KU in 1967 with a geography degree and received a Regular Army commission. Tom attended the Infantry Officers Basic Course, Airborne School, and Ranger School. As a First Lieutenant, he served as an advisor to the 39th Vietnamese Ranger Battalion from May 3, 1969 to April 6, 1970 where he received a Bronze Star Medal.
After a month’s leave, Captain Hewitt returned to Vietnam where took command of C Company, 2nd Battalion, 506th Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division in about May 1970. The Battalion Commander, LTC Andre C. Lucas, had taken command in early March and was told to take the fight to the enemy. The 2nd Battalion seized control of a NVA stronghold on a hilltop where they set up Fire Base (FB) Ripcord.
During June 1970, CPT Hewitt’s Charlie Company achieved the most success of any of the companies while on patrol. The Battalion received intelligence that Ripcord would receive an attack no later than July 1. At this time, only D Company was at FB Ripcord while C Company was bivouacked SW of Ripcord at Hill 902. The 2nd Battalion had spent 2 ½ months of hard labor securing FB Ripcord including laying over $50,000 worth of defensive wire.
On July 1, the NVA attacked Ripcord with 60mm and 82mm mortars, Rocket Propelled Grenades (RPGs), and small arms. Charlie Company could see the attack from their higher position and throughout the day, CPT Hewitt directed accurate artillery and helicopter gunship fire down on the enemy. CPT Hewitt also had his M60 machine guns fire at the mortars located between Hill 902 and FB Ripcord. Due to the fog of war, an intelligence report stating that Hill 902 might be attacked did not reach C Company.
In the early morning hours of July 2, NVA soldiers only wearing shorts and with their bodies painted black launched a sapper attack with satchel charges against Hill 902. Initially, C Company did not know if they were under mortar or direct attack. CPT Hewitt was mortally wounded by an RPG explosion while rallying his men to defend the NVA’s follow-on attack. In a battle that lasted over an hour and even after his death, CPT Hewitt’s well-trained company held off the enemy attack and the NVA left at least a couple of dozen dead on the slopes of Hill 902. There was also numerous blood trails indicating that the NVA had carried off many more wounded and dead.
CPT Hewitt’s leadership, encouragement, and personal example prevented the loss of Hill 902. CPT Hewitt and his C Company comrades’ actions on the July 1st and 2nd ensured the survival of FB Ripcord. His actions bring great credit upon himself, C Company, the Currahee Airborne troopers, and the Jayhawk Battalion. CPT Hewitt is indeed deserving of a place on the Jayhawk Wall of Fame.
