Col. Thomas J. Tredici

Col. Thomas J. Tredici will be remembered for his military service, monumental professional contributions, and sustained dedication to public service to the citizens of the United States. As a military medical officer and scientist, he is regarded as one of the most influential Ophthalmologists in Aerospace Medicine of our time. His greatest legacy in Aerospace Medicine is the thousands of physicians, staff, and aircraft personnel he taught, trained, mentored, and befriended throughout his 70 year military career.

He was a founding commissioner for The Joint Commission of the Allied Health Professionals in Ophthalmology, the USAF Representative on the National Research Council, and a committee member for NATO-AGARD (Advisory Group for Aerospace Research and Development).

Col. Thomas J. Tredici was born to Marino Tredici and Maria Pizzanelli on August 27th, 1922 in Monessen, Pennsylvania. He enlisted in the United States Air Force in 1942 at age 19 and was selected for pilot training. He piloted a B-17 Superfortress Bomber and its crew of 10 for the 8th Army Air Force (457th BG 8th AF) out of Gatton, England in support of the Allied Forces in Europe during World War II.

After World War II, Thomas Tredici received his college degree, Magna Cum Laude (Phi Beta Kappa) from Washington and Jefferson University in 1949. He received his medical degree from the University of Pittsburgh in 1952 and then returned to active duty to serve in the Korea Conflict as a USAF Medical Officer (1952-53). He then completed his Ophthalmology Residency at the University of Pittsburgh in 1956, followed by active duty at Scott AFB, Illinois, and Clark AFB, Philippines, as Chief of Ophthalmology. After a Fellowship in Ophthalmic Pathology (1962-64) at the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology in the Walter Reed Army Medical Center, he was assigned to the USAF School of Aerospace Medicine in San Antonio, Texas as a staff ophthalmologist and researcher. He additionally received training as a Flight Surgeon. In 1965 he served as an eye surgeon in the Vietnam War (1965-66).

Upon his return from the Vietnam War, he became Chief of the Aerospace Ophthalmology Branch at the USAF School of Aerospace Medicine, Brooks AFB, Texas from 1966-87. In 1987, Col. Tredici retired at age 65 from the military after 2 recalls to active duty by the Secretary of the Air Force, with 39 years of active military service. At the time of his retirement, Col. Tredici had the distinction of being the last USAF pilot still on active duty to have flown during WWII.

Following his retirement, Col. Tredici continued his work as a Senior Scientist, Principal Lecturer, and Clinical Function Chief of the Aerospace Ophthalmology Branch at the USAF School of Aerospace Medicine while in the Civil Service until 2011, having served the USAF for 70 years.

He continued his position as Clinical Professor in the Department of Ophthalmology at the University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio. He continued working as a USAF Emeritus Scientist and Consultant until his passing on April 28th, 2021.

His understanding of Air Force operations provided a firm foundation for his career as an Aerospace Ophthalmologist and allowed him to apply ophthalmic science to military needs. Dr. Tredici's Curriculum Vitae listed hundreds of published research papers and 286 different presentations among his contributions to the Ophthalmology Branch USAF School of Aerospace Medicine in Vision Science and National Defense. During his tenure as Chief, he and his staff were responsible for many breakthroughs in vision science. Research with NASA led to the development of the gold visor face shield worn by American Astronauts to protect against ultraviolet/infrared light induced eye injury. The development of the first Laser Laboratory in the Department of Defense, an Electrophysiologic Laboratory, the military's first Night Vision Laboratory, and a Windscreen Evaluation Laboratory were all established under his watch. Col. Tredici was the principle lecturer in ophthalmology for training the USAF Flight Surgeons, residents in Aerospace Medicine, and the Allied Medical Officers in Ophthalmology. As a clinician and research scientist, he was instrumental in establishing an Eye Consultation Service which identified vision standards and policies, assisting in the return of hundreds of air crew back to active duty. These standards included glaucoma management, refractive surgery, contact lens use, and intraocular lenses in aviators.

Col. Tredici has been honored with 17 Military Awards and Decorations, including the Theodore C. Lyster Award from the Aerospace Medical Association, the Louis H. Bauer Founders Award, the Academy of Ophthalmology Senior Honor Award, the AMSUS (Association of Military Surgeons of the United States) Lifetime Achievement Award, and the Legion of Merit.

He had many hobbies which he pursued, such as his love of vintage cars, fixing old homes, following Astro's baseball and meeting up with friends. He was a master storyteller and had a great sense of humor. Most of all, he was a patriot and loved America.

Col. Tredici was also a loving family man. He was married on December 26th, 1949 to Margaret DeSantis of Monessen, Pennsylvania, who preceded him in death. He is survived by his three children, Dr. Tomas Tredici (Carol), Mia Nieman (Paul) and Dr. Lucia Tredici (Jim), his grandchildren, John Tredici (Jessica), Peter Tredici, Andrew Tredici, Lindsay Trejo (Jonathan), and Laura Rose Brillon (Joseph), as well as great grandchildren Sydney Tredici and Jack Tredici.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial donation to one of his favorite charities:

1) Dr. Thomas J. Tredici, MD Endowment for Ophthalmology Resident Education at the University of Texas HSC at San Antonio.

https://makelivesbetter.uthscsa.edu/tredici

for mailing a check;

Steven Reese

Office of Institutional Advancement

MC7835

7703 Floyd Curl Drive

San Antonio, Tx. 78229

210-567-2598

2) Aerospace Medical Association Thomas J. and Margaret Tredici Award; please make check out to AsMA Foundation

for mailing a check;

Ms. Genie Bopp, Treasurer

16002 Edgewood Dr.

Houston, Tx. 77059

713-594-3163

3) The Daedalian's Scholarship Fund, Flight #2, Stinson's Flight, P.O. Box #151, JBSA, Randolph, Texas, 78148 (Attn: Col. Bill Ercoline)

You are invited to sign the Guestbook at www.sunsetfuneralhomesa.com.

A Memorial Mass will be held on Monday, October 11 at 4:00 pm at St. Mark the Evangelist Catholic Church; 1602 Thousand Oaks; San Antonio, TX 78232. A Committal Graveside Service with Military Honors will be held on Tuesday, October 12th at 11:30 am at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery; 1520 Harry Wurzbach Rd.; San Antonio, TX 78209.