A $2000 college scholarship disappeared in a bunker explosion in Vietnam.

Thomas Allen Hall was born in Phoenix, Arizona, in 1951, into the family of Mr. and Mrs. William Hall. He did not lack siblings as the Hall family also included sons Gary, Randall, Norman and Robert and daughters Carol, Cynthia, Tracy and Kelly. In 1962 the family moved to Santa Cruz County and acquired a residence on Vine Hill Road. Thomas attended Happy Valley Elementary and Branciforte Junior High School before enrolling in Soquel High School in the fall of 1965. Thomas Hall was a well-rounded student, a member of the cross-country team and active in the local Church of Christ. His academic record earned him membership in the California Scholarship Federation and a $2000 college scholarship that he planned to use at Stanford University in 1972.

Following his high school graduation in June 1969, Hall enlisted in the US Army for three years. The location of his basic training is not known, but he likely received his advanced individual training at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, which qualified him as an artillerymen.

About January 1970, Thomas Hall was assigned to an artillery unit in Vietnam. While serving with that unit on March 22, 1970, he was killed when an explosion occurred in a bunker. His body was recovered, returned to Santa Cruz and following his funeral, was interred in Oakwood Memorial Park.

(SCSn March 29, 1970, April 1, 1970 14:4)