Thomas Palmer was born on farm near Hope, KS. He attended schools in the area and graduated from Hope High School. Palmer entered college in Manhattan, KS for one and half years then was employed at the Boeing plant in Wichita, KS. He remained there until he enlisted in the Marines in October 1942. Palmer was in boot camp until January 1943 and then was off to the South Pacific. By August of 1943, palmer was promoted to Corporal. His family wrote many letters to Palmer using a numbering system to insure all letters written were received. Palmer commented to his mother thanking her for the sprig of alfalfa she included in a letter. He said it had tasted mighty good. Courtesy of The Dickinson County Heritage Center and Museum.