THE WALL OF FACES

Semper Fi, Marine.

Tommy, I just want to tell you that you live on in those who knew you, those who loved you, in our thoughts and words, and in me. The reason for my name and my son's will always gently carry you through time.



Thank you for your sacrifice.

Thomas Lloyd Kingston
Marine Corps Lance Corporal

Born: February 6, 1948
Died: January 21, 1968

Thomas Lloyd Kingston was always the comedian, the entertainer, the artist. He was a cartoonist, master carpenter, and Shakespearean devotee. He played baseball and golf, and he loved camping, fishing, and swimming. Oliver Towne, a St. Paul Pioneer Press columnist, wrote in his column, "The Death of a Carrier Boy," how Tom delivered the newspaper to him: "He was out there at dawn, and again at dusk. In winter and summer. It was hot, and it was cold." Mr. Towne remembered that day at St. Therese church, where Tom had been an altar boy and Mr. Towne had been a member. It was late in January, 1968, when the church lector said, "We pray for Tom Kingston, who was killed in Vietnam last week." Mr. Towne wrote the article about Thomas when he realized that his former newspaper carrier "couldn't bring to my door the newspaper that told us of his death."
Judy (Tobin) Kroll, a friend of Tom's, wrote in the St. Paul Pioneer Press on April 24, 1995, in a "War and Remembrance" article, "Tom Kingston was my good buddy, my grade school classmate, my confidante and rabble-rouser...I remember the funeral Mass at St. Therese and the flag-draped coffin. I remember weekends to come, sitting at my parent's kitchen table staring out the window, unable to comprehend that he was gone. I remember the tall, gangly red-headed kid who came to my back door to tell me he had enlisted."
Tom attended his beloved Cretin High School and graduated from Highland High School in 1966. He wished to complete his military service before attending the University of Minnesota. After joining the Marines, Tom trained at Camp Pendleton. He was assigned to the Third Battalion 26th Marines, India Company, Second Platoon. Tom was killed on Hill 881 North while defending Marines with mortar rounds on Hill 861 at Khe Sanh. He earned the Military Merit Medal, the Cross of Gallantry with Palm, and the Purple Heart. Tom is buried at Fort Snelling Cemetery Section J, #1705.
At the time of his death, Tom was survived by his mother, Viovodale Kingston, his elderst brother, Gordon; his sister, Mary; and his youngest brother, Daniel; plus aunts and uncles and cousins; grandmother Mary A. Hurley, and many dear friends. Tom's father died in 1963.
We miss you, Tom.

The family of Tom Kingston

From "The Faces Behind the Names," by Don Ward

Semper Fidelis, Marine!

Thomas is buried at Ft Snelling Nat Cem.

Although we never met personally, I want to thank you Thomas Lloyd Kingston, for your courageous and valiant service, faithful contribution, and your most holy sacrifice given to this great country of ours!

Your Spirit is alive--and strong, therefore Marine, you shall never be forgotten, nor has your death been in vain!

Again, thank you LCPL Thomas Lloyd Kingston, for a job well done!

REST IN ETERNAL PEACE MY MARINE FRIEND