W. Paul Thayer
| W. Paul Thayer | |
|---|---|
| United States Deputy Secretary of Defense | |
|
In office January 12, 1983 – January 4, 1984 |
|
| President | Ronald Reagan |
| Preceded by | Frank Carlucci |
| Succeeded by | William Howard Taft IV |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
William Paul Thayer November 23, 1919 Henryetta, Oklahoma |
| Died | May 6, 2010 (aged 90) |
| Alma mater | University of Kansas |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |
 United States of America
|
| Service/branch |
 United States Navy
|
| Years of service | 1941 - 1946 |
| Rank |
 Lieutenant Commander
|
| Unit | Fighter Squadron 26 |
| Battles/wars | World War II |
William Paul Thayer (November 23, 1919 – May 6, 2010) was a test pilot, aviation executive, and United States Deputy Secretary of Defense during the Reagan Administration.
W. Paul Thayer was born November 23, 1919, in Henryetta, Oklahoma and attended high school in Wichita, Kansas. After a high school, he attended Wichita State University, then spent a year working as an oil field roughneck, before enrolling at the University of Kansas, where he majored in petroleum engineering. During his time in college, he enrolled in the Civilian Pilot Training Program in order to train as a pilot.
After college, Thayer entered the Naval Aviation Cadet Program in mid-1941, earning his wings as a naval aviator in March 1942. His posting in the United States Navy during World War II was with Fighter Squadron 26 (VF-26). Thayer flew a F4F Wildcat and became a flying ace, with six confirmed and four probable aerial victories, and nine further Japanese Air Force aircraft destroyed on the ground. He also participated in the sinking of a Japanese destroyer. Thayer honorably resigned from the Navy as a lieutenant commander following the end of World War II.
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