COL (Ret) Thomas R. Cross Death | Obituary – COL (Ret) Thomas R. Cross passed away at age 101, He turned 101 on February 1, 2020, and passed away on July 3, 2020.
Known as the “Father of the Parachute Riggers”, he designed the Rigger Wings and the iconic Red Hat back in the 1950s, which is still worn to this day.
It is likely he was the last surviving commander of an Airborne Combat Infantry Battalion from WWII. He was 26 years old at the time. He was proud to have served in all five of the U.S Army’s past and present Airborne Divisions – the 82nd, 101st, 11th, 13th, and 17th. During WWII, COL Cross led an entire troop to safety in France after breaking his leg in the initial parachute jump. COL Cross was able to move about 200 soldiers to their defensive positions while under constant fire with that broken leg, despite receiving orders to seek medical attention.
One of the most memorable assignments of his 30 year Army career was as the Parachute Maintenance Officer of the 11th Airborne Division from 1948-1950. He had the opportunity to serve with several members of the original U.S. Army Airborne Test Platoon as well as other highly decorated Airborne WWII Veterans.
It was at this time COL Cross developed a great respect for the dedication, expertise, and responsibilities embodied in the paratroopers serving as U.S. Army Airborne Parachute Riggers. He had recently been inducted into the U.S. Army Parachute Rigger Hall of Fame at Fort Lee, Virginia. The Hall of Fame was recently named in his honor.
We express our sympathy and deepest condolences to Cross’s family today and in the days, weeks, months, and years that are to come as they cope with his passing.
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