PFC Thomas Nicholas Lanides was born 24 Dec 1924 in Fitchburg, Massachusetts. He was the oldest son of Nicholas Thomas and Theona (Georgiou) Lanides. His parents had both immigrated from Greece and his father worked as a tailor in Fitchburg. The family rented a home at 418 Broad Street and later at 1 West Street in Fitchburg while Nicholas operated his shop at 74 River Street. Thomas apparently completed only 1-year of high school before going to work. He might have been working for his father or other relatives.
Thomas was drafted in January 1944 and after 5-months of basic military training was sent to the European theater. He was transferred from the replacement depot to I Company 116th Infantry on 7 Aug 1944 to serve as a rifleman but he wasn't in the unit long. PVT Lanides was transferred to A Company 116th Infantry on 14 Aug 1944. He didn't stay in that company for very long either and was again transferred to B Company 116th Infantry on 23 Aug 1944. Why he was moved around so much is unclear. PVT Lanides was fighting with these units during this period and would have been at Vire, France, in the battle for Brest and with the regiment as it fought its way into Germany. PVT Lanides was injured, a non-battle casualty, on 11 Nov 1944. He returned to the unit via the replacement depot on 29 Dec 1944, again as a rifleman. He then fought with the unit until killed in action on 25 Feb 1945 near Julich, Germany.
PFC Lanides rests forever in the Netherlands American Cemetery.
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