The Sword and the Brush: The Life of Col. John W. Thomason, Jr. To understand the art of Col. John W. Thomason, Jr., USMC, one must first understand the grit and discipline of the United States Marine Corps. Born in Huntsville, Texas, on February 28, 1893, Thomason’s life was a profound intersection of martial valor and creative expression. He was not merely an observer of history; he was a participant in its most turbulent chapters. Enlisting in the Marines on April 6, 1917, his early adulthood was defined by the smoke and thunder of World War I, where his extraordinary bravery earned him t…