Thomas F. Flinn was born on July 14, 1926 in Ransom Township, Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania to Richard Lewis Flinn and Pauline Vivia Flinn, nee Hess. Thomas’ siblings were Allen, Louis, and Pauline Flinn. In 1930, the family lived in Scranton, Lackawanna County, where Richard worked in the railroad shops. Thomas and Pauline divorced in the 1930s. In 1940, Pauline and her children were living in Montrose, Colorado, where Thomas attended Montrose High School. Pauline and her three sons moved to Seattle, King County, Washington in 1942.

Thomas Francis Flinn registered for the draft on his 18th birthday, July 14, 1944. He was 5’4” tall and weighed 130 pounds. He had brown hair, brown eyes, and a dark complexion. He lived in Seattle and was employed by the United States Army Quartermaster Depot as a swamper (truck loader) and truck driver. He was inducted into the United States Army on October 10, 1944 at Fort Lewis, Washington. He was married [his wife’s name is unknown] and had a high school education. He received his basic training at Camp Roberts, California.

Private Thomas F. Flinn served in the 307th Infantry Regiment, 77th Infantry Division. When Flinn joined the 307th, the regiment had already fought in Guam and the Philippines. From April 27 through June 27, 1945, the 307th was involved in brutal combat on Okinawa, Japan.

Private Thomas F. Flinn was killed in action on May 16, 1945 on Okinawa, Japan. His remains were never recovered. His name is inscribed on the Courts of the Missing, Honolulu Memorial, Honolulu, Honolulu County, Hawaii. He was awarded the Bronze Star and the Purple Heart.

Both of Thomas’s brothers served in World War II. Sergeant Allen Flinn served in the Signal Corps in the Southwest Pacific. Private Louis R. Flinn was with the Army Air Force supply office in Yuma, Arizona in 1945.