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Following the First World War he served at many posts of the Corps ashore and afloat and in 1941 made
an extensive air survey of South and Central America, for which he received the Air Medal. He served briefly on the staff of Admiral Nimitz in the Pacific and as an instructor in amphibious technique. Promoted
to Colonel 30 May 1942, he died at San Diego Naval Hospital 12 March 1944. During his
entire career, John William Thomason, Jr., continued to be active as a writer and illustrator, publishing numerous books about marines and on western subjects.”
Colonel John William Thomason, Jr. is the
author of A Thomason Sketchbook; Fix Bayonets!; Jeb Stuart;
Lone Star Preacher; The Adventures of Davy Crockett (Told Mostly by Himself); Texas Rebel; Gone to Texas; ...and a Few Marines;
and, Red Pants And Other Stories.
According to the book description of
Fix Bayonets!, “A US Marine Corps Captain's episodic series of sketches illustrating the elite
unit's part in such bloody battles as Belleau Wood, the Argonne, and Mont Blanc. Profusely illustrated by the author's own
front line drawings.”
One reader of Fix Bayonets!
said, “I found an old copy of this book years ago, when there was very little to be found on the USMC in WWI, I am glad
to hear it is being published again at this time. My interest in that subject stems from the fact that my Grandfather &
his twin brother served in the 5th Marines in WWI. Even without that connection this is a great book, one
of my all time favorites. CPT Thomason keeps you turning pages as you follow the Marines through every battle, where they
suffer unbelievable casualty rates. For a book that was published in the 1920's it has a surprisingly contemporary feel, and
is an easy, "must" read for anyone with an interest in the Marines or an American unit in WWI. As
a personal aside, I was looking at my Grandpa's discharge papers from 1919, (all hand written back then) and noticed that
the officer that signed his discharge was none other than a John W. Thomason, Captain, US Marines, how cool is that?”
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One reader of ...and a
Few Marines said, “This book is the finest, single collection of short stories ever written about pre-World
War Two Marines. Dealing primarily with Marines stationed in pre-war China in the early 1900's through 1938, Thomason, a Marine
Officer, who would later become one of the most popular writers for the Saturday Evening Post, writes with a fine ear for
the language and a detailed knowledge of the Marines on the "China Station". The book is also illustrated with excellent
line drawings by the author, who in addition to being a writer, was also an outstanding illustrator. It is a fascinating glimpse
of a bygone era, both culturally and militarily. The interactions between the locals, the Marines and the ex-patriots makes
you yearn for simpler times when just walking along the Bund was an adventure, just before you meet your next White Russian
goddess. If you were ever a Marine, or even just wanted to be a Marine, this book will introduce you to the mystique of being
a "Soldier of the Sea". I treasure this book, having obtained a copy printed in 1923, however, it is available for
your total enjoyment, in its' current printing, provided there are any copies left.”
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