The Legacy of Tom Rice, a Para Trooper With a Big Heart

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2006

Abstract

n August 15, 1921, and was a native of Coronado, Califonria where he grew up. Military ran in his veins. His father was a World War I veteran who died in a plane crash in Panama. After high school and before enlisting in the army, Rice worked as a lifeguard and studied engineering at what was then San Diego State College.</p><p id="3efc">The D-da, June 6, 1944, Rice was one of 18,000 paratroopers who flew from England to German-occupied France whose job was to secure key roads, bridges and canals at Normandy and prevent a German counteroffensive. Rice jumped first out of 18 jumpers from the C-47 cargo plane. He was loaded down with 100 plus pounds of ammunition, weapons and other gear.</p><p id="5b6d">He landed and joined up with 50 other paratroopers and glider pilots, thereby capturing hundreds of Germans. Another jump was on September 1944 into Holland was part of Operation Market Garden. During the Battle of the Bulge in Belgium, Rice was wounded by sniper fire.</p><p id="e09d"><b>Rice </b>gave an award to others that no money can buy to his fellow paratroopers. For his military service, he was awarded a Bronze Star and a Purple Heart for his military actions. Great way to exit the military.</p><p id="444a">After his military service, Rice returned to San Diego and made education his new career teaching in Chula Vista and married another teacher. Later, retiring from teaching, he moved back to his hometown.</p><p id="4b9c"><b>Rice </b>became a regular presence at veterans and military events in San Diego and elsewhere in the face of many of the World War II vets dwindling. His legacy was captured in a documentary film about the 75th anniversary of D-day and a library, Hilltop High, was name after him in 2019.</p><p id="abee"><b>In conclusion</b>, 101 years old Rice left a legacy to be remembered for ever as he had a big heart for his comrades and others. In the face of health issues, he fought to the end. May he rest in power. Thank you for your service forever sir.

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The Legacy of Tom Rice, a Para Trooper With a Big Heart

How one para trooper jumped to honor his comrades.

Photo by HLipin/SD Union-Tribune

Tom Rice, 101, a D-day paratrooper who jumped to honor his fallen comrades because he survived and they did not. He was with the 101st Airborne Division and all those that died in the war, overtime he made solo and tandem jumps to honor them.

This World War II paratrooper jumped into Normandy, France on D-day and this marking the anniversaries of that pivotal battle jumped again. Through his jumping, many fallen heroes legacy lives on and will live on.

Not only did Rice have a big heart for fallen veterans of World War II but was modest regarding his notable service to others while in the military. He did not talk about his combat years in service after returning home and settled into a 44-year career as a teacher and track coach at Chula Vista and Hilltop highs. Even when faced with artifacts related to the D-day paratroopers, mums the word about being apart.

Other than returning to Normandy for the 50th anniversary commemoration of D-day, he returned again and again and 2019 for the 75th. To honor his fallen comrades of the 101st Airborne Division, Rice himself jumped out of airplanes solo and the second time he was strapped to the chest of a younger skydiver. He did these jumps to ensure no one forgot his fallen comrades.

On other D-days commemorations, Rice jumped and even at special events most notable during Veterans Day. These jumps continued through his 100th birthday, last year being his final jump. With this jump, he landed in front of hundreds of cheering people and television cameras on the beach near the Hotel del Coronado.

Rice was born on August 15, 1921, and was a native of Coronado, Califonria where he grew up. Military ran in his veins. His father was a World War I veteran who died in a plane crash in Panama. After high school and before enlisting in the army, Rice worked as a lifeguard and studied engineering at what was then San Diego State College.

The D-da, June 6, 1944, Rice was one of 18,000 paratroopers who flew from England to German-occupied France whose job was to secure key roads, bridges and canals at Normandy and prevent a German counteroffensive. Rice jumped first out of 18 jumpers from the C-47 cargo plane. He was loaded down with 100 plus pounds of ammunition, weapons and other gear.

He landed and joined up with 50 other paratroopers and glider pilots, thereby capturing hundreds of Germans. Another jump was on September 1944 into Holland was part of Operation Market Garden. During the Battle of the Bulge in Belgium, Rice was wounded by sniper fire.

Rice gave an award to others that no money can buy to his fellow paratroopers. For his military service, he was awarded a Bronze Star and a Purple Heart for his military actions. Great way to exit the military.

After his military service, Rice returned to San Diego and made education his new career teaching in Chula Vista and married another teacher. Later, retiring from teaching, he moved back to his hometown.

Rice became a regular presence at veterans and military events in San Diego and elsewhere in the face of many of the World War II vets dwindling. His legacy was captured in a documentary film about the 75th anniversary of D-day and a library, Hilltop High, was name after him in 2019.

In conclusion, 101 years old Rice left a legacy to be remembered for ever as he had a big heart for his comrades and others. In the face of health issues, he fought to the end. May he rest in power. Thank you for your service forever sir. For additional reads: