Captain Tommie William Bates, A Soldier's Story
Captain Tommie William Bates, A Soldier's Story
Captain Tommie William Bates was born on November 30, 1962, in Coventry, Rhode Island. After graduating from Coventry High School, he received an appointment to the United States Military Academy at West Point, entering a path of service marked by discipline and leadership.
While at West Point, Bates was active in the Cadet Chapel and participated on the academy’s speech team, reflecting both his commitment to faith and his ability to lead and communicate. He graduated in 1986 and was commissioned as a field artillery officer in the United States Army.
Captain Bates was assigned to the 24th Infantry Division, one of the Army’s primary heavy divisions. In August 1990, as tensions escalated following Iraq’s invasion of Kuwait, the division deployed to the Middle East in support of Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm during the Gulf War.
On September 14, 1990, during his period of active service, Captain Tommie William Bates died from injuries sustained in a truck accident. His death occurred during the early phase of the Gulf War deployment, a time marked by rapid movement, preparation, and inherent risk.
Captain Bates is buried at Woodland Cemetery in Coventry, Rhode Island. His service reflects the quiet professionalism of officers who led their soldiers during the opening moments of war, bearing responsibility long before combat operations formally began.
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a.d. elliott is a wanderer, photographer, and storyteller traveling through life
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