William J. Thompson ’53

silver-star

William J. Thompson

William J. Thompson
Class of 1953
MAAG-Vietnam, 47th Separate Infantry Regiment, ARVN

Silver Star for gallantry during an encounter between the lead units of the battalion against an enemy entrenched in a wooded area that dominated the field of battle. Captain Thompson rushed to the front and began to reorganize the dispersed Vietnamese units and those sent to retrieve four stalled armored scout carriers the dead and wounded. After successfully rallying the troops, he led them forward against the enemy, disregarding his own safety. Despite the constant enemy fire, he assisted these units in evacuating their wounded and dead.