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1st Lt Edward Thompson attended Lincoln High School in and was a miner.

He joined the National Guard in Clarksburg, West Virginia on 6 January 1941 with the rank of First Sergeant.
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At 0720 hours on the 19th the company jumped off on the attack for Schoppen, Belgium. When the company arrived at Schoppen, they had only one tank destroyer with them. During the attack there was a blinding snow storm which made it impossible to see farther than fifty yards. They reached their objective at 1030 hours and took 27 prisoners and killed or wounded about the same number. At 1045 hours the enemy counter attacked with a company of infantry and three self propelled guns, but the attack was beaten off. The casualties for the day amounted to eight wounded, six missing and one officer killed. This officer most likely was Edward Thompson.

He was awarded the Silver Star Medal posthumously. The citation cited: For gallantry in action in the vicinity of Faymonville, Belgium, 17 January 1945. When assault elements were impeded by an intense automatic-weapons and small-arms barrage from a building occupied by the enemy, Lt Thompson courageously led a group across perilous terrain to the strongpoint. Then, with utter disregard for personal safety, he fearlessly engaged the foe and, with accurately directed grenades, compelled the hostile force to surrender. Lt Thompson’s gallant actions and outstanding devotion to duty exemplify the finest traditions of the service.

The medal was presented to his wife and daughter (third picture).