South Brunswick Celebrates Hometown Hero Buddy Thomas

SOUTH BRUNSWICK, NJ – On Monday, the community came together to celebrate and honor one of South Brunswick’s most famous residents – Buddy Thomas.

On Veterans Day the township honored Thomas for his service with a street sign naming ceremony at the intersection of Hillside Avenue and New Road.

Thomas served in the Marines from 1959 to 1965 in the 1/9 (1st Battalion, 9th Marines) the “walking dead” which was part of the 2nd Marine Division.

The unit earned its nickname because of the high number of casualties it suffered in Vietnam.

He was stationed in Da Nang and was shot in his abdomen for which he earned a Purple Heart and was discharged as a Sergeant.

Born in Charleston, West Virginia on July 21, 1938, Thomas settled in South Brunswick Township where he had met his wife, Christine. The couple raised their three children in the township.

Thomas has been a vocal advocate for helping get the POW flag put up at all the public schools and Township buildings and he continues to help the Marines during the holidays with their Toys for Tots fundraiser.

Family, friends, and members of the council were present during the street sign dedication ceremony. Here are a few snapshots from the event:

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