Sponsored by:

Navy Federal Credit Union
Thomas
Guthrie
Speers
August 27, 1890

–

May 9, 1984

Cemetery:

Baptist Burial Ground

Thomas Speers was a standout weight man on the track team at Princeton University, starring in the shot put and hammer throw. Ordained a Presbyterian minister, he was co-pastor of University Place Church in New York City, and later as assistant minister of Firsts Church there. He left his parish to serve in World War I as a U.S. Army Chaplain, and was gassed twice. His four brothers also served in World War I. After the war he spent one term (1932 – 1936) on the Princeton Board of Trustees, and he was a member of the Presbyterian Board of National Missions from 1920 to 1953. During World War II he was a Public Member of the War Labor Relations Board in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Awards Received

  • Distinguished Service Cross

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    First Lieutenant (Chaplain’s Corps)

    Regiment:

    102d Infantry Regiment

    Division:

    26th Division, American Expeditionary Forces

    Action Date:

    September 26, 1918
    War Department, General Orders No. 138 (1919)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to First Lieutenant (Chaplain’s Corps) Thomas Guthrie Speers, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with 102d Infantry Regiment, 26th Division, American Expeditionary Forces, at Marcheville, France, 26 September 1918. Chaplain Speers accompanied the advance elements, which were constantly under terrific artillery and machine-gun fire during the action. He was continually aiding and cheering the wounded, and particularly distinguished himself by carrying a wounded officer to a dressing station through heavy artillery and machine-gun barrage.