WWII Hero & Aggie Veteran Who Inspired The Aggie Muster Dies

A retired Army colonel who told the story of an Aggie Muster ceremony on a small island in the Philippines during World War II has died.

Thomas Dooley, 92, died Sunday in Hopkinsville, Ky., following a long illness. Born in McKinney, Dooley served as aide-de-camp to Gen. Jonathan Wainwright, according to the Kentucky New Era newspaper. He was a member of Texas A&M University's Class of 1935.

His story about Muster in 1942 on the small, rocky island of Corregidor - sent just days before the island fell to Japanese forces - spread through the halls of Congress and across the nation. It became a rallying cry and gave birth to modern-day Texas A&M Muster ceremonies, held on April 21 throughout the world to honor Aggies who have died.

Dooley was awarded a Silver Star and a Distinguished Service Medal during his military career. He was a prisoner of war for 3 1/2 years before witnessing the surrender of the Japanese on the USS Missouri.

Below is his obituary:

Decorated WWII vet dies

By MARY D. FERGUSON editor@kentuckynewera.com

A memorial service for retired Army Col. Thomas Dooley, 92, a decorated World War II veteran, prisoner of war and witness to the Japanese surrender, will be at 2:30 p.m. Saturday at Grace Episcopal Church with the Rev. Dr. Bill Watson officiating.

Visitation will be from 5 until 7 p.m. Thursday in the Gaither Room at Grace Episcopal Church.

Dooley died Sunday night at Covington's Convalescent Center following a long illness.

A native of McKinney, Texas, he was born Dec. 18, 1913, the son of the late Annie Mae and Thomas P. Dooley.

A World War II Army veteran and career Army officer, Dooley served as aide-de-camp to Gen. Jonathan M. Wainwright and with Wainwright was held prisoner by the Japanese for 3 1/2 years.

At the beginning of World War II, he was awarded the Silver Star for actions during the bombing of Clark Field in the Luzon region of the Philippines and was also awarded the Legion of Merit.

Following his release from prison at the end of the war, Dooley was a witness to the surrender of the Japanese on board the USS Missouri.

He was presented with the Distinguished Service Medal upon his retirement as chief of staff of the Armor Center and deputy post commander at Fort Knox.

He was an accomplished golfer and a member of the Hopkinsville Golf and Country Club.

He was a graduate of Texas A&M University where he was a member of the Ross Volunteers and served as head Yell Leader in his senior year.

In 1992 in an interview for the Kentucky New Era, Dooley said of his imprisonment, "I never had any doubt that I would come out of it all right."

When Japanese forces captured the Bataan Peninsula in the Philippines, American and Filipino soldiers were forced to walk through coastal jungles during the infamous Bataan Death March.

Dooley wasn't part of the death march. Troops on Corregidor, including Dooley and Wainwright, had surrendered following a hard fight though greatly outnumbered by the enemy.

He was a member of Grace Episcopal Church.

Survivors include his wife, Catherine Dade "Kitty" Dooley; a son, Thomas Peter Dooley II, Louisville; a daughter, Mrs. Tom (Mary Randolph ‘Randy') Peters, Louisville and a granddaughter, Kate Elizabeth Dooley.

Memorials may be made to Texas A&M University or to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society of Kentucky.

Softly call the Muster, let comrade answer 'Here'..."

Aggies gathered together on June 26,1883 to live over again their college days, the victories and defeats won and lost upon the drill field and in the classroom. By April 21, 1903, this annual gathering evolved into a celebration of Texas' Independence on San Jacinto Day. These early meetings included field games and banquets for Aggies to reflect and celebrate their memories of Aggieland. 'Let every alumni answer a roll call' wrote the former students. It was not until 1922, however, that April 21 became the official day of events for all Aggies, thus, the annual tradition of Muster was born. The March 1923 Texas Aggie urged, 'If there is an A&M man in one-hundred miles of you, you are expected to get together, eat a little, and live over the days you spent at the A&M College of Texas.

1942 Aggie Muster gained international recognition. Twenty-five men, led by General George Moore '08, mustered during the Japanese Siege of the Philippine island of Corregidor. Knowing that Muster might soon be called for them, these Aggies embodied the essence of commitment, dedication, and friendship- the Aggie Spirit. They risked their lives to honor their beliefs and values. That small group of Aggies on an outpost during World War II inspired what has developed into one of our greatest traditions.

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