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William Thompson-Korean War Medal of Honor Recipient
Photographer: Don Morfe
Taken: May 13, 2000
Caption: William Thompson-Korean War Medal of Honor Recipient
Additional Description: He is buried in Long Island National Cemetery, Farmingdale NY in Section DSS, Site 19. He was Killed in Action. His Medal of Honor information and citation is: *THOMPSON, WILLIAM. • Rank and organization: Private First Class, U.S. Army, 24th Company M, 24th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division. • Place and date: Near Haman, Korea, 6 August 1950. • Entered service at: Bronx, N.Y. • G.O. No.: 63, 2 August 1951. Citation: Pfc. Thompson, distinguished himself by conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty in action against the enemy. While his platoon was reorganizing under cover of darkness, fanatical enemy forces in overwhelming strength launched a surprise attack on the unit. Pfc. Thompson set up his machine gun in the path of the onslaught and swept the enemy with withering fire, pinning them down momentarily thus permitting the remainder of his platoon to withdraw to a more tenable position. Although hit repeatedly by grenade fragments and small-arms fire, he resisted all efforts of his comrades to induce him to withdraw, steadfastly remained at his machine gun and continued to deliver deadly, accurate fire until mortally wounded by an enemy grenade. Pfc. Thompson's dauntless courage and gallant self-sacrifice reflect the highest credit on himself and uphold the esteemed traditions of military service.
Submitted: March 14, 2016, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland.
Database Locator Identification Number: p346791
File Size: 0.037 Megabytes

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