The Town of Spring City recognizes the outstanding achievements and dedicated service of Lieutenant Commander Miles Allen Thedford, a native of Spring City, in the United States Navy. Having been born on Sept. 9, 1911 in Spring City to William Oscar Thedford and Temple Elizabeth Baldwin, on Jan. 24, 1928, Miles Allen Thedford enlisted in the United States Navy and, after training, was assigned to the USS Whitney, a Destroyer with his first stop in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. In his first year, on Feb.
18, 1929, Miles Allen Thedford joined the Boxing Team and excelled at this sport, becoming the Atlantic Scout Fleet Welterweight Champion.
Thedford was then transferred to the USS Raliegh in June 1931 and, after leaving in 1932, assigned to the USS Houston in San Diego, California, lifting anchor for Hankow, China, where the War of Resistance to Japan was raging on, the Houston, amid sever shelling in Shanghai, China, the ship, flying the Stars and Stripes were under orders to remain neutral. The Houston then entered the Yangtze River in China, which flowed for 3,900 miles, with the patrols taking in 100 miles plus per day in September 1932.
In November 1933, Miles Allen Thedford was transferred to the USS Panay and became an official member of the Brotherhood of the River Rats on duty to stay on the Yangtze River. He then received orders to transfer to the USS Utah from March 1935 until May 1936 and then transferred to the USS Kane DD-235 Clemson Class Destroyer. The Kane was en route to Bilbao, Spain, to evacuate Americans who were at risk due to the Spanish Civil War.
Miles Allen Thedford took a bride and was married to Hilda Mauriene Gates on Jan. 18, 1936, in California and, after re-enlisting, was transferred to the brand-new USS Mayo Destroyer DD-22 in September 1940. The Mayo was dispatched to Casablanca, Morocco, due to the German Invasion of North Africa. Thedford was promoted to chief petty officer on Sept. 11, 1942. Moreover, nine other Destroyers were sent just off the Gulf of Salerno, Italy. After battling Germans in Salerno, Italy, the USS Mayo became known as the “Tank Buster.”
In 1943, Thedford was transferred to the USS Sullivans, a new ship named to honor the five brothers who lost their lives on the same day. On Dec. 24, they left San Francisco, arriving at Pearl Harbor on Jan. 16, 1944. The Taskforce then moved to the Islands of Palau, Yap and Woleni. After moving to screen for air attacks, Hollandia Tanattimeras, Wake and Aitage, and also to support amphibious activities in New Guinea. On April 29, 1944, Japanese planes began an attack where the Sullivans picked up their first kill. The Sullivans then moved to strike Japanese targets near Morcu and Wake Islands, Saipena, Teneas and Guam. On June 13, the USS Yorktown sank a Japanese merchant ship. The USS Sullivans picked up 31 Japanese survivors.
On June 27, 1944, Miles Allen Thedford was recommended for lieutenant. On July 4, 1944, the Sullivans joined Unit 1, bombing everything in sight along the shore, airfield, shore batteries and installation or moving objects along the west coast of Iwo Jima. At one point, six planes in a row were destroyed. Others were set on fire by shrapnel and burning fuel. These activities continued in July, August and September of 1944. The Sullivans took down five planes within a few hours. The ship took eight emergency maneuvers during this time. In late October, the Sullivans were attacked by Kamikaze aircraft, downing another plane on Nov. 29, 1944.
Miles Allen Thedford was officially appointed Lieutenant in the summer of 1946 and was given recruit training duty at Norfolk Naval Training Center. He was then promoted to Lieutenant Commander Thedford and became Base Commander at the Naval Training Station in Maryland. In May 1947, Miles Allen Thedford received orders to report to Great Lakes, Il. for duty. In 1949, Thedford retired from the Navy after 21 years of dedicated service, many of them in active combat.
Lieutenant Commander Thedford’s unwavering commitment, exceptional leadership and remarkable accomplishments have brought honor to himself and the town of Spring City.
During his career, he received the following Honors:
Bronze Star with “V” device, Good Conduct Medal with three stars, Second “V” device, Nicaraguan Campaign, Yangtze Service Medal, American Defense Medal, European-African Area; Asiatic Pacific Campaign (with 10 Campaign Stars), Philippine Liberation Medal (with 2 Stars), World War II Victory Medal.
Miles Allen Thedford was born, raised and retired in the Piney River community, where the dedicated bridge spans. He and his wife, Hilda, had two sons, James “Jack” Allen Thedford and William “Bill” E. Thedford.
The Spring City Board of Commissioners recognizes Lieutenant Commander Miles Allen Thedford for his exceptional service, unwavering dedication and remarkable achievements in the United States Navy and extend their heartfelt gratitude for his service and believe the best way to permanently recognize and commemorate his distinguished military career and many contributions would be to name a bridge in his honor.