2nd Lieutenant Thomas Richard Temple was born in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania, and later moved with his family to Lake Forest, Illinois. A graduate of Brown University in the class of 1965, he was an accomplished student and co-captain of the varsity swim team. In 1966, Temple enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps and, after completing Officer Candidate School, was deployed to Vietnam as a Second Lieutenant.

While serving as a platoon leader with the 3rd Marine Division, his patrol encountered an improvised explosive device, resulting in injuries to two Marines and his own death on October 19, 1966, at the age of 29. Temple is buried in Lake Forest Cemetery.