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<p>Duty and honor were deeply ingrained in <em>Thomas “Tom” Lainis Jr.</em> from the start. Born on June 20, 1949 in Jamaica, NY to Thomas and Daisy Lainis, he was the oldest of three children.</p>
<p>Tom grew up with a strong sense of family, a deep appreciation for his Greek Orthodox heritage, and an unwavering commitment to community. Educated in the New York City public school system, Tom was a role model and admired by his peers. He was actively involved in the local chapter of the Greek Orthodox Youth Association, bringing first and second generations closer to their culture and values. He attended Flushing High School, where he ran varsity track for three years, was active in the student council, and graduated as a member of the National Honor Society. </p>
<p>While studying history, Tom was deeply touched by the stories of the military and how their bravery and actions helped citizens throughout the world. Drawn to a life of service to the nation, Tom decided to attend West Point. </p>
<p>On July 3, 1967, Tom entered West Point as a member of 8th New Cadet Company (“Big Red 8”), USMA Class of 1971. After Beast Barracks, Tom became a charter member of Company G-4. Over the next four years, Tom distinguished himself as an exemplary, well-rounded, and motivated cadet. He excelled in the Academy’s most difficult mathematics and physics courses and graduated in the top four percent of his class. Tom was also committed to his physical development, complementing his regular physical training with scuba diving, skydiving, and mountaineering skills. </p>
<p>As any seasoned soldier will attest, the Army is a team, and Tom was steadfastly committed to the success of his classmates and his company. He dedicated countless hours to tutoring, supported other cadets in accomplishing their personal goals, and led by maintaining the highest standards of conduct and moral character.</p>
<p>On June 9, 1971, Tom Lainis was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Military Intelligence branch, with an Armor branch detail. Before arriving at his first unit, Tom distinguished himself by earning recognition on the commandant’s list at the Armor Officer Basic Course, completing Airborne School, and being selected as the distinguished graduate of his Ranger School class. After two successful Armor assignments in Germany, Tom attended the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), where he earned a Master of Physics degree in 1977. Tom then reported to the 1st Cavalry Division, serving as a tank company commander and staff officer. In 1981, Tom returned to West Point as an instructor in the Physics Department. Between 1984 and 1994, Tom attended the Command and General Staff College (earning the Master Tactician Award), served as the 1-37th Armor Battalion XO, and the deputy G-3 of the 1st Armored Division in Germany, earned a Ph.D. in high energy particle physics from MIT, was selected as a West Point Permanent Associate Professor in the Physics Department, and graduated from the Army War College. He returned to USMA in 1994 as the Deputy Head of the Physics Department, a position he held until his retirement from active duty in 2001.</p>
<p>Rather than marking the end of his service to the nation, 2001 was merely a transition. Tom first served as a Visiting Professor in West Point’s Department of Mathematics before becoming the Associate Dean for Plans and Resources. Finally, Tom returned to the Department of Physics and Nuclear Engineering, where he served as a Professor of Discipline from 2008 until his passing in 2016.</p>
<p>Tom’s contributions to the field of physics extended far beyond the classroom. He worked as a visiting scientist at MIT, conducted research at the Fermi National Laboratory in Italy and at the Brookhaven National Laboratory in New York, and authored, co-authored, and presented over 40 scholarly articles and presentations.</p>
<p>However, his greatest contribution to physics was instilling curiosity and a passion for science in the minds of hundreds of children. During nearly three decades at West Point, Tom regularly brought science into the classrooms of local elementary and middle schools. He created the summer STEM Program, a weeklong summer science program, and established a mentorship program, pairing cadets with local high school students.</p>
<p>With a seemingly endless passion for community support, Tom volunteered his time to the high school lacrosse team, community ski club, gymnastics club, the Boy Scouts, God’s Gang, Young Life, and dozens of other community and school events. Each year during West Point’s Graduation Week, Tom would organize an event to recognize the cadet sons and daughters of the Class of ’71.</p>
<p>Despite this long list of accomplishments, Tom would tell you that his greatest joy came from his family. He was blessed to meet his wife and soulmate, Phyllis, while first studying at MIT. Together they became the proud parents of Thomas and Kristen, who both followed in their father’s footsteps by becoming military officers. His son, Lieutenant Colonel Thomas Lainis, graduated from West Point in 2003 and now serves on active duty along with his wife, Major Maia Molina-Schaefer. Kristen graduated from Boston College in 2005 and served in the U.S. Air Force for four years. She is married to Lieutenant Colonel Brian Cooper, a fellow Air Force officer. Tom’s legacy lives on in his three grandchildren: Gianna, Tommy, and Thomas Lucas.</p>
<p>Tom was a loving son, brother, husband, father, and grandfather; a dedicated teacher, a trusted friend, an admired classmate; and a positive force of inspiration and optimism. Tom’s memory will carry on in the hearts of his friends and family, and in the countless lives that he has touched.</p>
<p><em>— USMA classmates, colleagues, and family</em></p>
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