Col. (Ret.) Dwight Thomas

By AMY TURNEROctober 5, 2022

2022 Hall of Fame Inductee

Hampton University (1975)

(Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

Col. (Ret.) Dwight E. Thomas was born on June 14, 1953, in Hampton, Virginia.

He attended Hampton University where he completed a Bachelor of Arts in Economics and the Army ROTC Program. He graduated and commissioned in 1975.

Thomas’ initial assignment was at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. Thomas acquired critical key developmental assignments, which led him to being selected as the Maintenance Management Officer, for the 82nd Airborne Division. His follow-on assignment was the 3rd Armor Division where he commanded a company and became the adjutant for the 122 Maintenance BN.  His stellar performance thrust him into the limelight upon returning to CONUS, where he became the Board Recorder, DA Secretariat, MILPERCEN. Thomas then entered the contracting specialty where he continued to excel in several extremely demanding commands, his exceptional performance landed him in Office of the Secretary of the Army. Later he earned distinguished command positions in the Defense Contract Management Command and Missile Defense Agency.

Thomas retired from the Army on January 31, 2007, after 31 years of service. His military awards and accolades include the Defense Superior Service Medal, the Legion of Merit, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal (w/2 OLC), the Meritorious Service Medal (w/4 OLC), the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (Croatia), the Joint Meritorious Unit Award (w/1 OLC), the National Defense Service Medal, the Army Service Ribbon, the Overseas Service Ribbon; the NATO Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Medal, the OSD, USSOCOM, and Army Staff Identification Badges, and the Parachutist Badge.

As a Director of Business Development and Government Relations for Advanced Systems Development Inc., he led the strategic direction which for many business development initiatives that positively enhanced the corporation’s footprint in Information Technology. During his Military and Civilian career, Thomas never neglected an opportunity to mentor young officers, through the Rocks, Hampton University Military Alumni Association, and his fraternity.

About the Army ROTC Hall of Fame

The ROTC Hall of Fame was established in 2016 as part of the ROTC Centennial celebration. The first class (2016) inducted 326 former ROTC Cadets who had distinguished themselves in their military or civilian career.

The Hall of Fame honors graduates of the Army Reserve Officers’ Training Corps who have distinguished themselves in military or civilian pursuits. It provides a prestigious and tangible means of recognizing and honoring Army ROTC Alumni who have made lasting, significant contributions to the Nation, the Army and the history and traditions of the Army ROTC Program.

Read more about the 2022 Hall of Fame Inductees.