University of Illinois, 1940
Professor of Military Science, University of Colorado (1968-72)
Hometown: Bidwell, Iowa
Inducted March 2020
Thomas H. Cooper was born in Bidwell, Iowa on November 17, 1918 to Faley and Gladys Cooper. Tom grew up on a farm and had two brothers and two sisters. He graduated from the University of Illinois with a BS in Agriculture in 1940.
Tom joined the Army after graduation and served as an Artillery Commander in the 5th Infantry Division in Iceland, the British Isles, Normandy, and with General Patton’s 3rd U.S. Army in Europe. Held several faculty positions including the University of Illinois from 1945-49, Command and General Staff College 1958-61. He earned a Master’s Degree in International Affairs from George Washington University in 1962 and one from the U.S. Army War College in Strategic Studies. From 1966-68, he commanded the Special Ammunition Support Command, which provided nuclear weapons to our NATO allies.
He was then transferred to the University of Colorado Boulder to serve as the Professor of Military Science for the Golden Buffalo Battalion from 1968-1972. During his tenure at CU, COL Cooper led the department through a tumultuous time when persons sought to end the university’s ROTC program. Anti-Vietnam war protests occurred frequently against the program and the administration conducted numerous discussions to prohibit credit to ROTC courses. The fate of the entire program’s presence on campus was under scrutiny. COL Cooper’s leadership and actions during this period of time contributed to the continuance and survival of the ROTC program on the CU-Boulder campus.
Tom served 32 years in the United States Army, was a WWII veteran, and served as an Artillery officer under General Patton. He retired from the Army with the rank of Colonel with a long list of awards including a Distinguished Service Medal for his exceptional service at SASCOM, two Legion of Merit service awards, a Bronze Star Medal, a Soldiers Medal, an Army Commendation Medal and several service medals and badges for meritorious service.
After retirement from the Army in the early 70’s, he settled down in Arizona. Tom enjoyed many things in life, but among his favorites were spending time with family, golf, bridge, hanging out on the boardwalk at the beach, fishing, martinis, and gardening (not necessarily in that order). He was an avid golfer and a member of the Mesa Country Club.
COL Cooper died in Peoria, Arizona on June 3, 2018 at the age of 99. He is buried in Arlington National Cemetery with full Military Honors. He was the father of five children with his first wife, Mary Charlotte Cooper, who predeceased him. He also has 12 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren. He married Marie Harris in 2000 who passed away in 2004. He remarried for a third time and is survived by Norma Welnick Cooper who has 3 children of her own.