Membership Directory

(1922-1996) Sergeant U.S. Army, Company K, 18th Infantry, 1st Infantry Division. Born in North Carolina, entered service at Prescott, AZ. Cited for action on 18 October 1944 near Haaren, Germany. Under attack by enemy infantry supported by tanks and preceded by heavy artillery fire, Sergeant Thompson’s unit incurred heavy casualties. Seeing the Germans about to overrun one of his platoons, he first picked up an abandoned machinegun and fired on the enemy until tank fire destroyed the gun. He then picked up an automatic rifle and continued firing while standing alone, until he halted the lead elements of the attack. He then took up a rocket gun, firing until he set a light tank afire. Finally, during the same action while attempting to silence three pillboxes, he advanced alone within 20 yards of one and, though wounded, forced the enemy to abandon it. His leadership caused the eventual clearing of the other two.