Edwin Keith Thomson papers, 1919-1997

Edwin Keith Thomson was born in Newcastle, Wyoming, on February 8, 1919. He earned his bachelor's and law degrees from the University of Wyoming. He married Thyra Rose Godfrey on August 6, 1939. In 1941, he entered World War II with the U.S. Army and served in Italy and Africa. He became the Army's youngest battalion commander in 1943 when he was put in charge of the 362nd Infantry, 91st Division. For his military service he received many awards including the Purple Heart, the Legion of Merit, and the Italian Cross of Valor. He was released from active duty on January 24, 1946, and soon thereafter moved his family to Cheyenne to practice law with Harry Henderson. In 1952, he was a delegate to he Republican National Convention and was elected to the Wyoming State House of Representatives. He was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1954 and began his term on January 3, 1955. On November 8, 1960, Keith Thomson was elected to the U.S. Senate. Just one month later, on December 9, he died of a heart attack.