In a far corner of the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame, surrounded by college football lettermen’s jackets and memorabilia from autumns past, a passerby might walk by something that seems out of place.
It’s the uniform of a West Point Military Academy cadet, and at the base of the display sits a story of the man who wore it – Thomas Lombardo.
On this Memorial Day Weekend, the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame joins with the nation in saluting the country’s fallen military heroes.
Among them was Lombardo, whose story seems as if it was almost fictional, penned by a Hollywood script writer looking to turn the story into a summer blockbuster on the silver screen.
You see, Lombardo was a star football player in St. Louis and later went on to star for West Point’s 1944 national championship team, and six years later was killed in action during the Korean War.
This is his story. Of a high schooler who was 165 pounds and yet a four-year starter. Of a West Point college football play-maker. Of a soldier who served the country.
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ST. LOUIS ROOTS
& WEST POINT STARDOM
Born April 17, 1923, Thomas A. Lombardo started his football career in 1937 playing for Soldan High School where he was a four-year starter.
At 165 pounds, he was selected for the All-Star City Team all four years, the All District Team three years and was named Most Valuable Player in his high school senior year, 1940.
Tom received a barrage of offers to play college ball but chose hometown St. Louis University to continue his football playing. He played one year on the Billikens’ freshmen team before moving on to the United States Military Academy, West Point, in 1942.
There he played for three years and captained the 1944 Army National Champions Football Team.
Tom quickly established himself at West Point as an exceptional ball-handler and passer. Lombardo won his place among the great men of Army football because of his understanding of all aspects of the game including strategy and individual player capabilities.
Tom was ever the Captain, on the field and off. He called on his men to do their part, imparting his own drive and determination. The 1944 Army undefeated national championship team captained by Tom Lombardo defeated nine consecutive opponents, scoring 504 points to their opponents’ 35. And during that stretch, they held seven opponents scoreless, while the other two combined for only 14 points.
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CHOSE INFANTRY SERVICE
After graduation in 1945, Tom made Infantry his choice for service. He was stationed briefly at Fort Benning, followed by duty with the Army of Occupation in Japan. In 1946 Tom returned to West Point as an assistant football coach.
Then in January 1947 he returned to Japan, but again was called back to West Point to coach that fall. Then it was back to Japan where he coached the First Cavalry Football Team in 1948.
In April 1949 Tom joined the 38th Division at Fort Lewis, Washington, serving as a heavy weapons company officer until being detailed to coach the Second Infantry Division Football Team, which won the Sixth Army championship under his leadership.
On 25 June 1950 North Korea invaded South Korea, the 38th Division was deployed to augment US forces in Korea. Tom assumed command of Company I, 38th Infantry. After a successful border crossing on the night of September 18 and 19, Tom quickly made his presence felt. The invasion was a success and the North Korean forces were quickly put to flight.
Tom’s regiment was in pursuit, and his company was left behind to search out and destroy bypassed enemy strong points. On the afternoon of September 24, 1950 on a hilltop near Ch’ogye, Korea he led his men up the hill to carry out an assault on an enemy position.
Casualties were heavy, but the enemy was routed. First Lieutenant Thomas A. Lombardo was mortally wounded just as the enemy abandoned their position.
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US ARMY-LOMBARDO FIELD
On November 17, 1962, the US Army Seoul Area Command designated the football field at Yongsan Reservation, Seoul Korea as Lombardo field.
Though his journey from St. Louis to Ch’ogye ended so many years ago, this superb athlete, son, brother, husband, father, soldier and friend is still loved, revered and respected by those privileged to have shared part of his life with him.
The St. Louis Chapter of the National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame is named the St. Louis/Tom Lombardo Chapter because it embodies the values and character of this American hero. General Douglas MacArthur said: “It is highly appropriate that this gridiron, carved out of ground hallowed by American bloodshed that men might be free, be dedicated to honor the memory of Lt. Thomas A. Lombardo, for he brought to the battlefield the fighting spirit and leadership acquired on the football field.
He captained West Point’s 1944 eleven and later gave his life in the consolidation of victory at Inchon. He knew no compromise with duty, nor sought any, but his final breath gave implacable devotion to the immortal legend by which he was trained to serve- ‘Duty, Honor, Country.’ Let those who struggle for supremacy in sports remain ever conscious that hereto are sown seeds that upon other fields, on other days, will bear the fruits of victory.”
In 2009, Lombardo was inducted into the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame.
