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<em>Thomas N. Gimperling</em> died in Saint Luke’s Hospital, Denver, Colorado, 11 October 1959.</div>
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This announcement was received with sorrow and surprise by his many friends in and out of the service. He had recovered from a serious broken hip earlier in the year and everyone thought that he could do it again.</div>
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Tommy, to his friends, was born in Dayton, Ohio 5 June 1880. In his early teens he was bitten by the military bug and enlisted in the Third Ohio Volunteer Infantry and was soon on his way to Cuba where he participated in the Spanish American War and won his spurs, a sergeancy.</div>
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Upon his return home he found waiting for him his greatest desire, an appointment to the United States Military Academy. In spite of his lack of preparation, due to his service in the Spanish American War, he graduated as a member of the Class of 1904.</div>
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After graduation he was ordered to the Philippines for station. He was soon involved in the Samar escapade, which was the subject of many happy hours of reminiscing. At the end of his tour in the Philippines he was returned to the United States and assigned to mapping duty along the western border of Texas.</div>
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Tommy was married to Helen Campbell Tritch, in 1909, at Denver, Colorado. The War Department had no particular bed of roses for the bride and groom. It was not long before they found themselves at Camp Kiethley, in the Philippines. General Pershing at this time was disarming the Monies, and Tommy was there with both feet. It was at this time he joined the Sixth Infantry and served with that regiment until World War I.</div>
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As a member of the Sixth Infantry he commanded the rather new and specialized Regimental Machine Gun Company. He took this organization to Mexico with General Pershing as a member of the Punitive expedition. We looked upon Tom as something special—he rode a horse and the rest of us walked.</div>
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Upon his return to the States after chasing Villa, things began to move quite fast. World War I was upon us. Again Tom found his old love, the machine gun. He fought the war as Divisional Machine Gun Officer in the 30th Division.</div>
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Probably the most interesting and distinguished service to which Tom was assigned between World War I and World War II was that as Military Attache to Cuba in 1933. He was the Military advisor of the Cuban Ambassador, Sumner Wells. It was at this time that Batista revolted and overthrew President Machado. The details of this service would make a book. Tom should have written one. It was at this time that the good neighbor policy was initiated.</div>
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The second World War found Tommy as Chief of Staff of the 103rd Divisionat Camp Devers, Maryland. The older men had to give way to youth. He was returned to Denver as recruiting officer until he reached the magic age of sixty and the War Department writes “FINIS' Good Bye and Good luck to you.” “You Have Served your Country Well.”</div>
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After retirement, Tommy continued to live in Denver. His life in Denver was most enjoyable to him and his family. He made many good friends who miss him. As long as he lived he was an inspiration to those around him. He never got old mentally, the old body just wore out.</div>
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Tommy is survived by his wife, Helen; a stepdaughter, Gretchen Singles, wife of Colonel Gordon Singles; a grandson, Gordon Singles III, a Cadet First Classman, United States Military Academy; and one nephew, Robert MacGregor.</div>
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Tommy was interred in The Arlington National Cemetery 15th, October 1959. May he REST IN PEACE.</div>
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<em>—Dennis E. McCunniff, ’13</em></div>