2023 Hall of Fame Inductee
College of William and Mary (1958)
Maj. Gen. (Ret.) Thomas Lightner was born in Haymarket, Virginia and graduated from Osbourn High School in 1954. He then attended the College of William and Mary where he completed a Bachelor of Arts in Economics. He commissioned as a Field Artillery officer in 1958.
Lightner held numerous command and staff positions at military installations in the United States and overseas. He also served as the Congressional Affairs assistant to the Secretary of the Army and Chief of Staff of the Army in the Pentagon.
Lightner's last assignment was Commander, US Army Security Assistance Command, responsible for managing the Army’s portion of the President's security assistance and foreign military sales program valued at over $50 billion and extending to 106 countries around the world.
After 33 years of service, Lightner retired in 1991. His military awards and decorations include the Distinguished Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal and the Army Achievement Medal.
Following retirement, Lightner worked as a consultant for several firms including Raytheon Corporation and TRW Corporation. In 1993 he joined Coleman Research Corporation as a Vice President.
Finally, having completely retired from government and industry and residing in Vista, California, Lightner chaired a non-profit program ''Turn Around for Veterans" that employs woodworking as a therapeutic means of assisting wounded veterans. He raised over $500,000 in support of this program which was conducted at no charge to the veterans or government agencies and has been extended to more than 10,000 veterans.
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 2023 Hall of Fame Inductees.
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