Thomas Hayes Brett

COL Brett was born November 16, 1941, in Douglas GA. to a family of 3 generations of graduates of the US Army Military Academy, West Point NY. He was the son of Col. William Peek Brett, USAF and Mary Hayes Brett. After the loss of his parents at age 9, he was raised by his grandparents, Major General Thomas J Hayes and Mary R Hayes in Fall Church, VA.

COL Brett graduated from the Citadel (the Military College of South Carolina) in 1963 and received a Regular Army commission as an Infantry Second Lieutenant. He graduated from Airborne, Ranger, and Infantry Officer Basic courses and served his first Army assignment in the 82nd Airborne Division Infantry units at Fort Bragg, NC and in combat in the Dominican Republic in 1965. Captain Brett reported to Vietnam in March 1967 as the Aide de Camp for Lieutenant General Bruce Palmer Jr, who was C.G., II Field Force, Vietnam in Bien Hoa and then Deputy C.G., US Army, Vietnam in Long Bien.

In his second Vietnam tour COL Brett commanded B Co., 1st Bn. 8th Cav. and considered it the “most satisfying” job in his 30-year Army career. His later Army tours included teaching at West Point, command of an Infantry Battalion in the 1st Cav. Div. at Fort Hood Texas, and command of Dragon Brigade in the XVIII Airborne Corps at Ft. Bragg, NC.

His overseas tours were two in Vietnam, three in Germany and one in Thailand. He received a master’s degree from ASU and graduated from CGSC and National Defense University.

His US military decorations include the Silver Star, Legion of Merit with two oak leaf clusters, Bronze Star medal with three oak leaf clusters, Defense Meritorious Service medal, Meritorious Service medal with one oak leaf cluster, and the Purple Heart. He also earned the Combat Infantryman badge, Expert Infantryman badge, and Master Parachute badge.

In November 2018, Col Brett was presented the Order of St. Maurice by his classmate, General William W Hartzog USA, Ret, for 31 years of outstanding service in the US Army Infantry in both peace and War.

COL Brett was intensely loyal to The Citadel. He established the Col. Thomas H. Brett ROTC Scholarship fund. One of his proudest achievements was receiving the Mark Clark Society Award of the Leaders in Philanthropy, The Citadel Foundation, its highest award. He was also involved in the Citadel Club of Greater Washington, the M Company Endowment, and 1st Battalion, 8Th Cav. Association.

COL Brett was an outstanding photographer. He was an avid traveler to over 50 countries and this was reflected in his extensive photographs of wildlife, architecture and people from all over the world. He especially loved Namibia and made several trips to photograph the desert dunes, wildlife, and indigenous people. He was an active member of the Virginia Photographic Society and received their highest award for service, the Joe Hatcher Trophy.

COL Brett developed a love for the Carolina Shag dance and spent many years as an active member of the Northern Virginia Shag club.

His funeral service will be held at Arlington National Cemetery at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, he requested that all donations be sent to:

The Citadel Foundation at 171 Moultrie St., Charleston, SC 29409 or

[email protected].