Charles Thomas (Canadian admiral)

Vice Admiral Charles Morris Winton ('Chuck') Thomas CMM CD (born 31 May 1936) is a retired Canadian Forces officer who served as Vice Chief of the Defence Staff.

Charles Thomas
Born	31 May 1936 Kelowna, British Columbia
Allegiance	Canada
Service/branch	Royal Canadian Navy  Maritime Command
Years of service	1954–1991
Rank	Vice-Admiral
Commands held	HMCS Fraser 4th Canadian Escort Squadron Maritime Command
Awards	Commander of the Order of Military Merit Canadian Forces Decoration

Career

Thomas joined the Royal Canadian Navy in 1954.[1] He became Commanding Officer of the destroyer HMCS Fraser in 1971, Senior Staff Officer (Training) in 1973 and Senior Staff Officer (Combat Readiness) in 1973.[1] He went on to be Chief of Staff (Personnel & Training) in 1975, Commanding Officer of the 4th Canadian Escort Squadron in 1976 and Director Maritime Requirements (Sea) at the National Defence Headquarters in 1979.[1] After that he was Director General Maritime Doctrine and Operations in 1982, Chief of Maritime Doctrine and Operations in 1984 and Commander Maritime Command in 1987.[2] His last appointment was as Vice Chief of the Defence Staff in 1989 before resigning over policy issues in 1991.[1] His resignation reflected his belief that the Canadian Government should have been reducing the network of 40 armed forces bases rather than just reducing the headcount.[3] General John de Chastelain, Chief of the Defence Staff, responded attacking Thomas' motives rather than responding to his concerns.[4]

Awards and decorations

Thomas's personal awards and decorations include the following:

Ribbon	Description	Notes
	Order of Military Merit (CMM)	Appointed Commander (CMM) on 15 December 1986[5]
	Canadian Forces Decoration (CD)	with two Clasp for 32 years of service

References

1. Charles Thomas The Nauticapedia
2. The Admirals: Canada's Senior Naval Leadership in the Twentieth Century edited by Michel Whitby, Toronto: Dundurn Press, 2006, p. 335
3. The admiral's call: close more bases Maclean's, May 13, 1991
4. A new era begins Esprit de Corps, 1 April 2009
5. "The Governor General of Canada List". Gouvernment of Canada.