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Charles Thomas (Canadian admiral)

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Charles Thomas
Born(1936-05-31)31 May 1936
Kelowna, British Columbia
Died30 September 2022(2022-09-30) (aged 86)
Victoria, British Columbia
Allegiance Canada
Service / branch Royal Canadian Navy
 Maritime Command
Years of service1954–1991
Rank Vice-Admiral
CommandsHMCS Fraser
4th Canadian Escort Squadron
Maritime Command
AwardsCommander of the Order of Military Merit
Canadian Forces' Decoration

Vice Admiral Charles Morris Winton "Chuck" Thomas CMM CD (31 May 1936 – 30 September 2022) was a Canadian Forces officer who served as Vice Chief of the Defence Staff.

Career

Thomas joined the Royal Canadian Navy in 1954. He became Commanding Officer of the destroyer HMCS Fraser in 1971, Senior Staff Officer (Training) in 1973 and Senior Staff Officer (Combat Readiness) in 1973. He went on to be Chief of Staff (Personnel & Training) in 1975, Commanding Officer of the 4th Canadian Escort Squadron in 1976 and Director Maritime Requirements (Sea) at the National Defence Headquarters in 1979. After that he was Director General Maritime Doctrine and Operations in 1982, Chief of Maritime Doctrine and Operations in 1984 and Commander Maritime Command in 1987. His last appointment was as Vice Chief of the Defence Staff in 1989 before resigning over policy issues in 1991. His resignation reflected his belief that the Canadian Government should have been reducing the network of 40 armed forces bases rather than just reducing the headcount. General John de Chastelain, Chief of the Defence Staff, responded attacking Thomas' motives rather than responding to his concerns.

Thomas died on 30 September 2022.

Awards and decorations

Thomas's personal awards and decorations include the following:


Ribbon Description Notes
Order of Military Merit (CMM)
  • Appointed Commander (CMM) on 15 December 1986
Canadian Forces' Decoration (CD)
  • with two Clasp for 32 years of service

References

  1. ^ Charles Thomas The Nauticapedia
  2. The Admirals: Canada's Senior Naval Leadership in the Twentieth Century edited by Michel Whitby, Toronto: Dundurn Press, 2006, p. 335
  3. The admiral's call: close more bases Maclean's, May 13, 1991
  4. A new era begins Esprit de Corps, 1 April 2009
  5. "Obituary: Charles M. Thomas". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved 10 October 2022.
  6. "The Governor General of Canada List". Government of Canada. 11 June 2018.
Military offices
Preceded byJames Wood Commander Maritime Command
1987–1989 		Succeeded byRobert George
Preceded byJohn de Chastelain Vice Chief of the Defence Staff
1989–1991 		Succeeded byFred Sutherland
Commanders of the Royal Canadian Navy
Directors of the Naval Service
Chiefs of the Naval Staff
Principal Naval Adviser
Commanders, Maritime Command
Chiefs of the Maritime Staff
Commanders of the Royal Canadian Navy
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