Tom “Tommie” Bass was born in Texas on July 4, 1897 to Hence Bass and Mary Love Bass. He enlisted in M Co, 3/24 Inf in April 1917 and was listed as “recruit” at the time of the riot. He had just turned 20 years old at that time. Military records indicate he never attended school and worked as a laborer in civilian life; he had no civil law violations and did not drink, by his own statement.

On July 24, 1919, Congressman Royal Johnson wrote to the JAG with regards to Bass:

Since his confinement, his father has died, also an older sister, and his mother is practically without support. While I am not personally familiar with the record in this case, I respectfully request that the case be reviewed, and, if consistent, that the sentence be abated.” The Acting JAG, E. A. Kreger, replied “The record was also examined by the Clemency Section of this office on the 1st inst., in connection with your letter, as requested, and a recommendation made to the Secretary of War that clemency be not exercised in this case. In view of the fact that the evidence is clearly sufficient to sustain the conviction of this prisoner in participation in the mutiny and riots in question, the requirements of justice and fairness to other prisoners would preclude the exercise of clemency in this case – certainly at this time. I regret that I am, therefore, unable to recommend the clemency requested.

Notations by the clemency review board include the statement: “Apparently a fair average negro [with language like this in the record, it would be very hard to argue that some element of racial bias was not part of the legal process.] and except for his crime the Board sees no reason why he should not make a good soldier.” The same document also says that Bass “Denies guilt. Says he was down behind the rears when shooting was going on the night of the riot. Stayed there until it quieted down and then went to bed in his tent and covered his head up with his blanket.” It concludes, “Conduct in confinement is reported as excellent. Age as twenty-two years.”

On September 10, 1919, Senator Henry Cabot Lodge wrote to the JAG (who at that time was Maj. Gen. E. H. Crowder], saying, “I am taking the liberty of writing to you in regard to the case of Pvt. Tom Bass, who is now confined at Leavenworth serving a sentence imposed by courtmartial [sic]. I have no personal knowledge of the facts in the case but his widowed mother has written me and I merely write to enquire if the circumstances warrant the extension of any clemency at this time. I should appreciate anything you may be able to do in the matter.”

Crowder replied to Lodge on October 13, saying that Bass’s case had been reviewed for clemency twice before and had now been reviewed again in response to the senator’s letter, and concluded, “in view of the serious nature of the offenses committed, the requirements of justice and fairness to other prisoners, the Clemency Section is of the opinion that clemency cannot consistently be recommended in this case at this time. The prisoner may, however, by good conduct materially reduce the period of confinement.”

On May 12, 1920, the clemency board in its examination of his case wrote, “He is not recommended for transfer to the United States Disciplinary Barracks, because in the opinion of the Board he was guilty of the offence, which should preclude his ever serving in the U.S. Forces again, namely, disobedience of orders and mutiny and a failure to support his officers at a time when they needed this support most gravely.” [This might be the only case in which this particular statement appears; if so, it is especially notable, given that most of the officers in 3/24 Infantry displayed poor leadership and two of them were specifically recommended by the IG investigation into the Houston Incident].

On May 18, 1920, the Chief of the Military Justice Division in the JAG, Col. B. A. Read, wrote in a memo titled “Clemency reports in the cases of General Prisoners Tom Bass, Doyle, Lindsay, Eddie Maxwell, Samuel Riddle and Warsaw Lindsay, formerly privates, 24th Infantry (Houston rioters):

By letter dated March 20, 1920, this office transmitted copy of a memorandum, containing a brief summary of the evidence disclosed by the record of trial in the cases of five general prisoners above named, and recommended that a report be obtained from the Warden of the U.S. Penitentiary, Leavenworth, Kansas, as to the present age and conduct in confinement of each of these prisoners; also that a report be obtained from the Department of Psychiatry and Sociology at the U.S. Disciplinary Barracks, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, as to the mental and physical condition of each of these prisoners, and their civil life records.

The above reports not having been received on April 27, 1920, it was requested by letter of that date that the same be expedited.

Considerable correspondence has accumulated in this office, awaiting reply upon final reconsideration of these cases, and it is again requested that the reports above mentioned be expedited.

In a letter to the JAG dated November 15, 1920, the AG wrote “The Warden, United States Penitentiary, Leavenworth, Kansas, in a letter dated November 10, 1920, and in compliance with request of this office that he name three general prisoners now confined in the Penitentiary with a view to their selection for Thanksgiving Day clemency, has recommended this prisoner [Bass] for the Third place…” He then quotes the warden, “since coming here he has made an excellent record, having never been reported for violation of the prison rules.” The AG concludes, “In view of the fact that it is desired to complete action in this case at an early date, request is made that your report be expedited. By order of the Secretary of War, ___ [illegible] Adjutant General.”

The JAG replied to the AG two days later. In a two-page letter, he stated:

As a result of the riots at the 24th Infantry camp, near Camp Logan, Houston, Texas, on the night of August 23, 1917, certain soldiers of the organization named overthrew military authority, cast off all military restraint and entered upon an expedition of wholesale murder and terrorism. They killed fourteen (14) innocent and peaceable persons and seriously wounded eight (8) others. The extent and serious consequences of the mutiny of the 24th Infantry on the night in question are without parallel in the history of the army of the United States, and the conduct of the guilty soldiers not only merits the most severe condemnation, but justice requires that those who committed the heinous crimes be adequately punished…

Bass received a fair and impartial trial, and was legally convicted. He has served only about two and one-half years of his sentence to confinement for fifteen years. The evidence clearly establishes his guilt, and in the opinion of this office, the extension of clemency at this time would result in wholly inadequate punishment for the grave crimes committed and would defeat the requirements of justice. This office is unable, therefore, to concur in the recommendation for Thanksgiving Day clemency in this case.

For the reasons stated, clemency is not recommended. Signed, E.H. Crowder, Judge Advocate General.

Bass died of a heart attack in Trinity, Texas on April 29, 1965, at the age of 67. His death certificate listed him as a widower, and gave his occupation as “laborer.” In block 15 of the form, “Was the deceased ever in U.S. Armed Forces,” the answer space “Yes, no, or unknown,” is erroneously marked “no.”