PFC Thomas Elmer Perkey

courtesy of Larry & Edie Doepel

PFC Thomas Elmer Perkey was born 20 Aug 1920 in Union County, Tennessee. He was the 3rd of 5 children born to Orvelle L. and Mary Abbey (Wallace) Perkey. In 1940 his father was working for the Works Progress Administration and was paying $5 a month rent on the home on Coke Oven Hill Road in Campbell County, Tennessee. Thomas was still living with his family and working in a local saw mill. He had only worked 6 weeks in 1939 and reported an income of only $39 for that year. Thomas had not attended high school. In June 1942, Thomas married Miss Nellie Louise West. The couple would have 2 sons.

Thomas was drafted in August 1942. After his basic military training he was sent to England and assigned to L Company 116th Infantry. He trained with the unit for the amphibious assault that took place on 6 Jun 1944 at the French beach code-named "Omaha". PVT Perkey was promoted to PFC on 20 Jun 1944. PFC Perkey was killed in action on 30 Jul 1944.

PFC Perkey was repatriated and re-interred in Woodlawn Cemetery in La Follette, Tennessee. 

Nellie moved to Fort Lauderdale and did not remarry until 1960.