Sgtmaj Corps (Ret.)

Sergeant Major John Thomas 'Tom' Collier of Beaufort received his final tour orders on Wednesday, August 17, 2022 at the age of 102. Tom was born on November 19, 1919 in Eastover, SC the son of John Thomas Collier Sr. and Fannie K Collier. He attended High School in the Lower Richland School and excelled as a tennis star traveling the state participating in tournaments. Tom moved to Beaufort and enrolled in the 'work progress' program at Hunting Island State Park. Disillusioned with 'hard times', Tom joined the U. S. Marine Corp at age 17 attending basic training at MCRD in Beaufort. After seeing combat at Guadalcanal, he returned to MCRD as a Drill Instructor and received several awards. During WWII, Tom was captured by the Japanese, escaped a POW camp in the Philippines by constructing a homemade raft and eventually ended up in Australia. Tom was then assigned to the First Marine Division (North Korea) serving under Major General Oliver P. Smith. Early in November 1950, Tom entered the area known as the Chosin Reservoir with the 7th Marines. Tom earned the designation as one of the proud 'Chosen Few'. Tom told the story as if it were yesterday with mortars, foxholes and unbelievably cold weather. The warmer temperatures were around -8 degrees F.

On the occasion of Toms 102nd birthday, he served as the guest of honor at Operation Patriots FOB Marine Corps birthday celebration and received a home visit from the Commanding General of MCRD presenting him with a brand new set of Dress Blues requested by him for his burial. Tom's favorite pastime was treating his entire family to a weekend at Disney World which he enjoyed well into his 90's.

Tom is survived by his wife, Helen R. Hutchens Collier of Beaufort, five children, David A. Hutchens (Kathy) of Columbia, SC, Dennis W. Hutchens (Donna) of Atlanta Georgia, Debra J. Hutchens Dabney (Tom) of Beaufort, Dawn A. Hutchens Higgins ( Todd) of Beaufort , Donna M. Hutchens of Beaufort and a sister, Irene Hildebran of Columbia. Tom is predeceased by two sisters, Dorothy Carter and Anna Lee Dickert, both of Columbia.

A private service will be held at Beaufort National Cemetery with United States Marine Corps honors.