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name
THOMPSON, William G - Date of
birth
17 May 1907 -
Age
37 - Place of
birth
Austin, Lonoke County, Arkansas -
Hometown
North Little Rock, Pulaski County, Arkansas
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
38297251 -
Rank
Staff Sergeant -
Function
Squad Leader -
Unit
HQ Company,
1st Battalion,
334th Infantry Regiment,
84th Infantry Division,
Anti-Tank Platoon - 3rd Squad
-
Awards
Bronze Star,
Purple Heart
Death
-
Status
Killed in Action - Date of
death
19 December 1944 - Place of
death
In the vicinity of Wurm, southeast of Pforzheim, Germany
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Margraten
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| A | 7 | 27 |
Immediate family
-
Members
Elijah S. Thompson (father)
Susan H. I. (Tygart) Thompson (mother)
Thomas W. Thompson (brother)
John R. Thompson (brother)
James S. Thompson (brother)
Cecil S. Thompson (brother)
Lilly B. Thompson (sister)
Alby M. Thompson (sister)
Ruth B. Thompson (sister)
Vay L. Thompson (wife)
More information
S/Sgt William G. Thompson was employed by the Capital Transportation Company.He enlisted on 17 November 1942 in Little Rock, Arkansas.
The mission of his platoon was to provide anti-tank protection for his battalion, which had just taken the town of Wurm.
He was awarded the Bronze Star Medal posthumously. the citation reads: An enemy barrage became increasingly severe, and S/Sgt Thompson ordered the men of his crew to take cover. However, realizing the importance of anti-tank protection in the likely event of an enemy counter attack, he remained in an exposed position to complete the task of placing one gun in action. By doing so, he lost his life when an enemy artillery shell exploded against the house wall above him. His self-sacrifice has been a source of inspiration to the men of his company.
Source of information: Raf Dyckmans, www.wiimemorial.com, www.archives.gov, www.ancestry.com - WWII Enlistment Record, McClain/Hill Family Tree, Thompson Family Tree, The Exciter, January 1946, Capital Transportation Company, http://cgsc.contentdm.oclc.org/ - Fortune favored the brave: A history of the 334th infantry, 84th division
Photo source: www.findagrave.com - Des Philippet, wmjac