[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 177 (Friday, October 24, 2025)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E998]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   HONORING MAJOR GENERAL THOMAS REW

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JOE WILSON

                           of south carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, October 24, 2025

  Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Mr. Speaker, I am grateful to recognize 
the honorable life of Major General Thomas Rew.
  Having lived for over a century, born on March 13, 1922, Maj. Gen. 
Rew served 34 years as a U.S. Air Force officer, and fought bravely in 
World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War to keep American 
families safe and protect freedom with Peace Through Strength.
  In 1976, he retired from the military and moved to Columbia, South 
Carolina, where he became a valued community member. I especially 
appreciate his service as myself the son of U.S. Army Air Corps Flying 
Tigers in World War II, 1st Lieutenant Hugh Wilson, having served in 
Kunming, Chengdu, and Xian, China.
  Maj. Gen. Rew is a true American hero, and I am grateful for his 
service to the country. My thoughts and prayers go to his family and 
friends.
  Maj. Gen. Rew was honored on June 7, 2025, at the WWII Veterans Honor 
Event at Woodward Field Camden, hosted by Colonel Rick Mantei and his 
wife Lisa through the Rick Mantei Charitable Fund.
  His loving obituary has been published by Dunbar Funeral Home:

       ``Maj. Gen. Rew died Sunday, October 12, 2025. Born in 
     Brooklyn, New York, he was the son of the late Thomas J. and 
     Lucy Davey Rew. He graduated from Brooklyn Technical High 
     School in New York City. He enlisted in the US Army Air Corps 
     during WWII and was quickly selected for officers' training 
     and flight school. After the war he graduated from 
     Springfield College, Massachusetts with a degree in Physical 
     Education, married Marie Hartigan of Queens, New York, and 
     was subsequently recalled to active duty in the US Air Force 
     during the Korean War. He remained on active duty for the 
     next 25 years flying B-47 and B-52 bomber aircraft. He served 
     in a variety of command positions and in combat during the 
     Vietnam War. He retired from the military in 1976 and resided 
     in Columbia, South Carolina, ever since. In addition to his 
     Christian faith and his family, his three main passions in 
     life were fishing (with his children), sports (playing 
     handball and watching the Los Angeles Dodgers), and aviation.
       ``Surviving are his wife, Carolyn Rew, and his three sons: 
     Fredric Rew (wife Paige and children James, Mark, Elizabeth); 
     William Rew (wife Christy and children Jessica, Mandy, Kat); 
     Thomas Rew (wife Diana and children TJ and Lindsay); 
     grandchildren Keegan Robar, Devin Brown, and Taylor Brown; 
     plus seven great grandchildren.''
       ``He was predeceased by wife Marie Elizabeth Hartigan, 
     sister Mary Carpenter, daughter Maureen Rew Brown, and 
     grandson Wlliam Rew.''
  As I attended the funeral services at Northeast Presbyterian Church 
(PCA), thoughtfully conducted by Rev. Dr. George Crow with Dr. Robert 
Jones and Rev. Josh Desch, I was inspired to know firsthand of the 
success of Major General Rew with his World War II, Korea, and Vietnam 
service. He made possible my visits to formerly deadly enemies of 
Berlin, Tokyo, Rome, Pyongyang, Seoul, and Hanoi. Now Germany, Japan, 
Italy, and Republic of Korea have been enriched with American aid and 
in Vietnam, Americans are beloved. Today, more people live in freedom 
and democracy than ever in world history due to the American military.

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