Thomas Gerald Deavonport was born on December 9, 1918, in Dallas, Texas. He was the son of Thomas Isaac Deavenport and Madeline F Deavenport. Gerald was valedictorian of the 1935 spring graduating class at North Dallas High School. He was graduated in 1939 from Southern Methodist University and won the S. D. Flanz award for his specialty in mathematics.

Thomas Gerald served in the 67th Bomber Squadron, 44th Bomber Group, Heavy, as a Second Lieutenant and Navigator of the B-24 #41-23806 "Bat outta Hell" during World War II. On January 3, 1943, their airplane crash-landed at New House Farm, Dreenhill, Wales, due to fuel exhaustion. Their plane was engaged in bombing the submarine pens in St. Nazaire, France, and was returning home but was mistakenly headed for the Pembrokeshire coast. Three crew members died in the incident.

2Lt Deavonport survived the crash-landing and was taken back to the hospital in Texas. Unfortunately, he succumbed to his injuries and died on January 8, 1943. 1Lt Erwin is now buried in the Rose Hill Memorial Park, Corpus Christi, Nueces County, Texas, USA. 2Lt Deavenportis now buried in the Restland Memorial Park, Dallas, Dallas County, Texas, USA.