Gerald E. Thomas of Natick and Boston rose to become Rear Admiral in the U.S. Navy. His first command was in 1962 aboard the USS Impervious, an ocean minesweeper operating in the western Pacific. He also commanded the Destroyer Squandron NINE and the Cruiser-Destroyer Group FIVE. Thomas's medals and awards include the Navy Occupation Service Medal with Europe Clasp, The National Defense Service Medal with Bronze Star, The Armed Services Expeditionary Medal (Vietnam), and the Vietnam Service Medal with two Bronze Stars.