Born on August 17, 1946, in Athens, Tennessee, Petty Officer Second Class (PO2) Michael Thomas moved to Charleston, South Carolina, in 1952 when his father, a Navy Warrant Officer, was transferred to the area. With the exception of a little over a decade spent in Chesterfield County, Virginia (2000–2012), he has proudly called South Carolina home ever since. He married Diane W. Thomas in 1974, and together they have one son.
After graduating from The Citadel with a degree in History, Thomas entered the U.S. Navy, serving on active duty from February 1968 to April 1972, followed by eight years in the Navy Reserves. As a Radarman and Operations Specialist with secondary qualifications as an Electronic Countermeasures Operator, he rose to the rank of E-5. His service earned him numerous commendations, including the Navy Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with two Bronze Stars, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Republic of Vietnam Meritorious Unit Citation, and the Naval Reserve Meritorious Service Medal with Bronze Star. He was also recognized as runner-up for the 1985 Naval Reserve Region SEVEN Sailor of the Year and completed advanced training courses, including Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape (SERE).
Following his military career, Thomas built a successful career in international trade before retiring. He remained deeply committed to civic and community service, serving in organizations such as The Jaycees, Boy Scouts, his homeowners association, and multiple historical groups. For 13 years, he coached, umpired, and sat on the board of directors for Crowfield Little League in Goose Creek, SC. During his time in Virginia, he served as a board member of the Chesterfield Historical Society and contributed significantly to its Veterans Database, preserving local military history back to colonial times.
A dedicated member of the American Legion since 2010, he has been an active force at Post 166 in Goose Creek, SC, since 2013. Currently in his fourth year as Post Historian and 11th year with the Honor Guard—serving as its commander for the past four years—he has led initiatives that have garnered statewide recognition. His research uncovered the story of a lost Purple Heart medal, which he returned to the recipient’s family on Veterans Day 2021. He also spearheaded a project identifying every Berkeley County service member who gave their life in U.S. conflicts from World War I to the present, culminating in the creation of a memorial brick patio in 2024 to honor their sacrifice.
Beyond his American Legion work, Thomas has also contributed to preserving American history through authorship. Since 2018, he has published three non-fiction books on the Civil War, highlighting overlooked aspects of military history and shedding light on forgotten stories.
Today, Thomas is recognized not only for his military service but also for his enduring commitment to community, history, and honoring those who served. His journey from service member to historian and community leader exemplifies what it means to thrive after military life.