A Soldier's Story: Private First Class William Henry Thompson



Private First Class William Henry Thompson was born on August 16, 1927, in Brooklyn, New York.  Raised in poverty, he enlisted in the US Army in October of 1945, spending a year and a half in Alaska before an honorable discharge.

Not happy with civilian life, he re-enlisted in the US Army in January of 1948.

Private First Class William Thompson was known to be a good soldier. He was comfortable with the discipline and was an accurate marksman.

Shortly after the beginning of the Korean War, he was assigned to the 24th Infantry (one of the last remaining segregated units) as a machine gunner.  On August 6, 1950, Private First Class William Henry Thompson earned a Congressional Medal of Honor during the Battle of Pusan Perimeter. When wounded by small arms fire and grenade fragments, he continued to maintain fire, despite orders to retreat, and stayed behind, providing cover fire for his unit's retreat. He was killed in action.

Private First Class William Henry Thompson rests in the Long Island Nation Cemetery in New York.

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a.d. elliott is a wanderer, photographer, and storyteller living in Salem, Virginia. 

In addition to her travel writings at www.takethebackroads.com, you can also read her book reviews at www.riteoffancy.com and US military biographies at www.everydaypatriot.com

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Location: Brooklyn, NY, USA

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