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Personal info

Full name
THOMPSON, Sylvester Jacob
Date of birth
1 February 1918
Age
26
Place of birth
Syracuse, Onondaga County, New York
Hometown
Onondaga Indian Reservation, Onondaga County, New York
Ethnicity
Native American

Military service

Service number
42092161
Rank
Private
Function
unknown
Unit
I Company,
3rd Battalion,
502nd Parachute Infantry Regiment,
101st Airborne Division
Awards
Purple Heart

Death

Status
Died of Wounds
Date of death
24 October 1944
Place of death
The Netherlands

Grave

Cemetery
American War Cemetery Margraten
Plot Row Grave
M 19 15

Immediate family

Members
Joseph Thompson (father)
Hattie Thompson (mother)
Priscilla Thompson (sister)
Miles J. Thompson (brother)
Catherine Thompson (wife)
Barbara Thompson (daughter)

More information

Pvt Sylvester J. Thompson enlisted in Syracuse, New York on 6 January 1944 and was sent overseas in July 1944.

A letter received by his mother from his commanding officer said that Pvt Thompson participated in the successful airborne invasion of Holland on 17 September and that from then until 23 October he participated in several engagements. He was wounded by enemy mortar fire while on combat patrol on 23 October, died the next day.

His younger brother, Miles J. Thompson, served with the U.S. Navy during the war.

Source of information: Jac Engels, Terry Hirsch, Cor van den Burg, www.abmc.gov, www.archives.gov www.wwiimemorial.com, www.findagrave.com - CWGC/ABMC, www.ancestry.com - Thompson Family Tree, Marsha Thompson, 1920,1930,1940 Census US, 1925 State Census New York, / Syracuse Herald Journal, 30 January 1945 www.basher82.nl, http://www.ww2-airborne.us/ - Honor Roll, WWII Draft Card

Photo source: www.findagrave.com - Des Philippet, Syracuse Herald Journal