Thomas Vincent Gumaer was born in Yonkers, NY to William H. and Irene C. (née Tully) Gumaer. Tommy, as he was known by his family, graduated from Roosevelt High in 1941 where he was captain of the football team and an honor student. He was a student at New York University before entering the Army Air Force. Tommy is remembered for being thoughtful, kind and loving. He was an exceptional son who even scrubbed the floors so his mother wouldn't need to. Thomas Vincent Gumaer enlisted on October 5, 1942 at the age of 18. He trained in Florida and in Shreveport La. He attended Midland Army Flying School in Midland, Texas and was trained as a bombardier, attaining rank of Second Lieutenant. He was commissioned Dec. 23, 1943. Lieutenant Gumaer was a member of the 510th Bomb Squadron, 351st Bomb Group. In a combat mission on July 29, 1944. Tommy, who had participated in many combat missions, flew what would turn out to be his last mission. This mission was to Merseburg, Germany. Over the target area, Tommy's aircraft sustained damage from flak, which wounded and ultimately killed him. The plane, which was in battered condition, was five hundred and fifty miles within strongly defended German territory. Because of the plane's condition, the pilot decided to return to the base. As the plane was returning, the navigator administered first aid to Tommy. The flak burst that killed Tommy had also started a fire in the plane; the fire was quickly extinguished. The pilot made a good landing at an airfield near the coast of England. Tommy served his country from May 29, 1943 to the day of his death on July 29, 1944. He was awarded the World War II Victory Medal, the World War II Service Lapel Button, the European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with one Bronze service star, the Purple Heart, and by direction of the President, the Air Medal and one Oak-leaf Cluster. A Memorial Mass was celebrated at the Church of St. John the Baptist in Dunwoodie. Lieutenant Thomas V. Gumaer is laid to rest in St. Mary's Cemetery, Yonkers, NY.. let Us Never Forget this Son of Yonkers and True American Hero. Let Us Always remember his Service and Sacrifice for All of Us. Let Us Never Forget Lieutenant Thomas V. Gumser

Joan Gumaer Tyhurst, niece