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Published in the North County Times on August 13, 2009
Thomas Edward Bachta OCEANSIDE -- Sergeant Major, USMC, (Ret.)
Thomas Edward Bachta, husband, father, son, brother and friend, passed away in Oceanside, CA on Friday, July 24, 2009 in the arms of his beloved wife, Deborah. He was born Mar. 21, 1945 to Elizabeth and Edward Bachta of Chicago, IL. where he lived until joining the Marine Corps in 1963. He served with valor and distinction for 30 honorable years. Thomas began his career in the Marine Corps by serving many years in the elite Force Reconnaissance unit. He was awarded the Purple Heart and the Silver Star for his wounds and for "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action" in 1966 during one of his three tours of duty in Vietnam. In addition, he received many Presidential, Naval and Meritorious awards for his service in the Gulf War as well as that for his service with the Royal Marines in the U.K. He was a leader, a warrior and adventurer. A brilliant, tender, caring and protective, life-loving man who never stopped trying to lead a "Purpose Driven Life". Thomas is survived by his adoring wife, Deborah and their four children.
Private memorial services were held with a Marine Honor Guard and jet flyover on Aug. 15, 2009
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Norine O'Boyle (O'Donovan)
If there was ever any action going on, Tom was always in the middle of it. So it doesn't surprise me that he did three tours of duty in Viet Nam. The Viet Cong were probably glad to see him leave after his first tour. Little did they know he would be back two more times!The last time I talked to him was in 1980 after our first reunion, which he missed. He had just returned from England. All he kept saying was "Holy S---! How did you find me"? After 30 years,and numerous attempts, I found him again. I was really looking forward to seeing him.
What a distinguished military career. I am sure his family is very proud of him. I know I am.
Michael Plunkett
It was with both a great deal of sadness and a similar amount of joy that I read the Memorial notice on our dear classmate Tom Bachta."Crazy _ _ _" as we knew him was one heckuva guy. He was one of my very close friends. It was an odd relationship. I was a nerdy geek and he was wild. We did lots of things together, many of which I'm sure were both ashamed of. Wow were we young and crazy. But he was a solid guy. He was never afraid of hard work. When we went to high school all I remember is that I heard he had dropped out of high school and joined the Marines. I did think it would be a good fit for him and obviously from his many accomplishments there it was a great fit. To read his biography is to realize how great a man he became. Here was this short, wiry, crazy kid from North Edgebrook who everybody thought would end up in trouble. What does he end up being? A great American hero. A loving husband and father. It's enough to break your heart.
Ann Solari (Zych (1968-1976) Twadell 1981-Present)
Tom was a character! One we should all be proud to have known! My greatest memory is him sticking needles into the sole of his shoe and then during class poking the shoe with the needle into the rear end of whoever was in front of him. I especially remember it during Cecelia Maries class. It was hard to get the "stick" and not jump out of your seat!In retrospect it probably was a test run for some manuevers he would execute in later life! It is not often you can say you knew a hero!