Thomas Leigh Gatch, American lawyer Decorated Navy Cross with gold star, Purple Heart. member law firm of Boyd and Erwin, since 1947.
Background
A native of Oregon, and grandson of educator Thomas Milton Gatch, he served in the United States Navy as a ship commander during World World War II and Judge Advocate General of the Navy from 1943 to 1945. Thomas L. Gatch was born on August 9, 1891, in Salem, Oregon to Claud Gatch and the former Helen Plummer. His grandfather previously was the president of Willamette University in Salem, and both his father and grandfather served as mayor of the town.
Education
Student Oregon State College, 1906-1908. Graduated from the United States Naval Academy, 1912. Bachelor of Laws, George Washington University, 1922.
Doctor of Laws, Willamette University, Salem, Oregon, 1944.
Career
His last command was as commander of the Atlantic Fleet’s service force. After college, Thomas spent five years at sea before joining the Navy’s Judge Advocate General’ General’ s Office (Judge Advocate General) in 1919 in Washington, District of Columbia In District of Columbia, he studied law at George Washington University Law School where in 1922 he earned his law degree.
Gatch then went back to active duty aboard a ship, before teaching for three years at the Naval Academy. In 1935, he returned to the Judge Advocate General’s headquarters where he remained through 1938.
Gatch then returned to sea until 1940.
That year he began serving as Assistant Judge Advocate General, keeping that post until February 1942 after World World War II began. Gatch then became commander of the United States Ship South Dakota, a South Dakota-class battleship. Serving in the South Pacific until December 1942, he distinguished himself in that role in the Pacific Theater of Operations in battles such as the Battle of the Santa Cruz Islands during the Guadalcanal campaign.
He received two Navy Crosses for his service.
In 1943 Gatch was invalided to shore duty after being wounded in the South Pacific. Gatch became the 16th Judge Advocate General of the United States Navy.
He remained in that position until December 3, 1945, when he became the commander of the service force of the Atlantic Fleet. Vice Admiral Thomas Leigh Gatch retired from the Navy in 1947.
From 1945 to 1947 he served as a trustee at George Washington University.
Thomas had one sibling, Orytha. (See Light Heart) After retiring from the Navy, Gatch returned to his native Oregon. Gatch died on December 16, 1954, in San Diego, California, and is buried there at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery.
Achievements
Membership
Member law firm of Boyd and Erwin, since 1947.
Connections
Married Nancy Dashiell, June 13, 1917. Children: Nancy, Eleanor, Thomas.