Raynold Tomes was born in Dwight, Nebraska 25 June 1916. His parents were Louis and Bessie Tomes. At the time of his entry into the service, he was living in Utica, Nebraska.

Reynold was the oldest of the Tomes children; his younger siblings included Lewis, Henry, Lee, Ernest, Rita, Benny, William, and Donald.

He attended the University of Nebraska, and graduated from the college of Arts & Sciences in 1940 with a degree in geology.

Tomes married Elizabeth Ann Gleason in July of 1942; their daughter, Patricia, was born in 1943.

Raynold enlisted in the Marine Corps on 14 August 1940, shortly after graduating from college. He was attached to a reserve aviation training unit, and earned his commission as a second lieutenant on 24 June 1941.

After earning his wings as a fighter pilot at Naval Air Station Pensacola, Tomes was assigned to duty at NAS Miami as a flight instructor. In 1943, he was assigned to VMF-215 as a division leader and deployed to the Pacific theater.

During his tour, Tomes had a close call when mechanical problems forced him to make a water landing. He also shot down three Japanese “Zeke” fighters and one “Val” dive bomber.

On 2 November 1943, Major Tomes led his division as part of a combined two-squadron strafing mission to Kahili. His two wingmen were unable to join up with the flight, so Tomes picked up Lieutenants Cantrell and Rathburn from VMF-123.

The three pilots searched for targets near Kahili but found only a single barge, which they set on fire. Their route home took them over Ballale Island and a Japanese airstrip. Gunners on the ground opened fire with 20mm and 40mm anti-aircraft fire.

Major Tomes’ Corsair (F4U-1 BuNo 02602) was hit and exploded in midair. The wreckage crashed in flames on the island of Ballale. Neither Rathburn nor Cantrell saw a parachute, and Major Tomes was reported as killed in action.

News of the incident was sent to his wife, who was living at 3782 H Street, Lincoln, Nebraska.

CENOTAPHS
Manila American Cemetery and Memorial