Background
Charles Bates Thornton was born on July 22, 1913 in Goree, Texas.
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Tex Thornton
Edit Profilebusiness executive founder of Litton Industries
Education
Texas Technical University.
Career
He served in the United States Army Air Forces during World World War II, reaching the rank of Colonel and commanding a staff of officers in the office of statistical control. Following the war he offered the group of ten to several employers as an all-or-nothing proposition to provide the corporation with an analytical management team Henry Ford II had recently taken over Ford Motor Company which was in bad financial shape and had virtually non-existent financial control systems
He interviewed and hired the team, which became known as the "Whiz Kids".
Seven of the ten went on to senior executive positions. left Ford in 1948 to work for Hughes Aircraft. In 1953, he founded a company called Electro-Dynamics, then acquired the vacuum tube manufacturing business of Charles Litton, Senior in 1953.
In 1954, Electro-Dynamics also bought the rights to use the well-known "Litton" name. Through a series of mergers and acquisitions orchestrated by, Litton became a huge conglomerate with a wide range of products.
He was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Ronald Reagan in October, 1981.
Philanthropy The University of Southern California School of Music at the University of Southern California is named in honor of "s widow, Flora L., due in part to a $25 million donation she made in 1999. was a trustee and donor to the university for many years. The Center for Engineering Management at Stanford University is also named in honor of. Death He died in November 1981.
He was buried at the Arlington National Cemetery.
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Born
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Died
November 24, 1981 (aged 68) -
Nationality
United States
Education
Awards
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Presidential Medal of Freedom
The Presidential Medal of Freedom is an award bestowed by the President of the United States and is—along with the comparable Congressional Gold Medal, bestowed by an act of United States. Congress—the highest civilian award of the United States.The Presidential Medal of Freedom is an award bestowed by the President of the United States and is—along with the comparable Congressional Gold Medal, bestowed by an act of United States. Congress—the highest civilian award of the United States.