Possible Clues:

• Revolutionary War militia member
• Someone always ready for action - General Tom Thumb, perhaps
• Small island, one formed up in Lexington
• 1775 foe of the British
• Tom Thumb as a military chap on standby?
• Revolutionary hero
• Member of old American militia from very small island
• Tiny island producing ICBM
• Someone like Tom Thumb could be called up at short notice
• Former American militia member