Welcome Home, Pvt. Charles E. Thomas 🫡
Our hero made his final journey home, from Hawaii, through Dallas, Texas, and at last to his family in California. Pvt. Thomas is a hometown hero of Ontario, California, and after more than 84 years, he is finally home to be laid to rest.
He entered the U.S. Army Air Forces in California and served with the 7th Chemical Company, 31st Infantry Regiment, in the Philippines. After American forces surrendered the Bataan Peninsula on April 9, 1942, he was taken prisoner and forced to endure the Bataan Death March.
He d!3d at Cabanatuan Prison Camp on July 5, 1942, and was buried in a communal grave alongside fellow American POWs.

On May 19, 2026, DPAA announced that Pvt. Thomas had been identified. He has been posthumously awarded the Bronze Star Medal, the Purple Heart, and the Prisoner of War Medal, among other honors.
Welcome home, soldier. You were never forgotten.🇺🇸

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“I wanted to continue a life of service and purpose. The Illinois State Police gave me the opportunity to keep serving and make a difference.” Trooper Kolton Johner
Trooper Kolton Johner served in the military before joining the Illinois State Police. He ended his 8 years of service in the Army Reserves in 2023 as a Sergeant. He graduated from Lincoln Land Community College in 2018 with an associate’s degree.

Trooper Johner is a Trooper in the Division of Patrol and serves in Troop 4. He is in his 5th year with the Illinois State Police.

ISP Outreach: Expanding the Badge

Illinois State Police