Thomas Randall Horton was born on December 5, 1903, in Texas. He was the son of Robert Winne Horton and Eula E. Horton. He was married to Rilla Horton. He graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point, class of 1926. He was a standout pole vaulter and lifelong sportsman, later coaching football, competing in horse shows, and playing polo. Beginning his career in the Infantry, Horton served mostly with mounted units, reflecting his love for horses. In 1937, he transferred to the Quartermaster Corps, where his first assignment was managing the Fort Benning Railroad. When several of his close fellow officers received reassignment orders to the Philippines, Tommy volunteered to accompany them in 1940.

Tommy served as the Post Quartermaster in Manila before the Japanese attack. When war broke out, he immediately volunteered for combat duty, and his request was approved. Together with several fellow officers from headquarters, he helped organize a provisional cavalry squadron using the men and polo ponies from the Nichols Field stables. He rode alongside Strickler, taking part in the delaying actions that ultimately concluded on Bataan. He brought to Bataan not only substantial supplies, but also a significant amount of transportation and all Post QM personnel, both enlisted and civilian. Upon his arrival, the supply situation in Bataan, particularly along the Pilar-Bagac Road, was dire. He quickly organized a supply dump and began providing essential support to units retreating into the area. His actions greatly eased the supply crisis at that critical stage. After the dump was abandoned, he was reassigned to the Philippine Corps in the Infantry.

Horton was captured after the fall of Bataan and held at PW Camp #1 in Cabanatuan, Nueva Ecija, where he later died on September 6, 1942. He is now buried in the United States Military Academy Post Cemetery, West Point, Orange County, New York, USA.

Source of information: www.findagrave.com, West Point Association of Graduates