Thomas Vincent Gumaer was born in Yonkers, NY to William H. and Irene C. (née Tully) Gumaer. Tommy, as he was known by his family, enlisted on October 5, 1942 at the age of 18. He attended Midland Army Flying School in Midland, Texas and was trained as a bombardier, attaining rank of Second Lieutenant. He was a member of the 510th Bomb Squadron, 351st Bomb Group. In a combat mission on July 29, 1944, Tommy, who had participated in many combat missions, flew what would turn out to be his last mission. This mission was to Merseburg, Germany.

Over the target area, Tommy's aircraft sustained damage from flak, which wounded and ultimately killed him. The plane, which was in battered condition, was five hundred and fifty miles within strongly defended German territory. Because of the plane's condition, the pilot decided to return to the base. As the plane was returning, the navigator administered first aid to Tommy. The flak burst that killed Tommy had also started a fire in the plane; the fire was quickly extinguished. The pilot made a good landing at an airfield near the coast of England.

Tommy served his country from May 29, 1943 to the day of his death on July 29, 1944. He was awarded the World War II Victory Medal, the World War II Service Lapel Button, the European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with one Bronze service star, the Purple Heart, and by direction of the President, the Air Medal and one Oak-leaf Cluster.

Tommy will always be remembered for being thoughtful, kind and loving. He was an exceptional son who even scrubbed the floors so his mother wouldn't need to. He was captain of his football team at Roosevelt High School in Yonkers, NY and an honor student. No one could have asked for a better son.