Talk:Floyd James Thompson/Temp

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Floyd James Thompson
July 8, 1933 - July 16, 2002
[[Image: \|300px]] Colonel Floyd James Thompson
Place of birth	Bergenfield, New Jersey, USA
Place of death	Key West, Florida, USA
Allegiance	USAF
Years of service	1956- 1981
Rank	O3/Colonel
Unit	5th Special Forces Group, 1st Special Forces Bien Hoa, South Vietnam
Battles/wars	Vietnam War
Awards	Prisoner of War Medal

Floyd James "Jim" Thompson (1933 - 2002) was the longest held POW in United States history, spending nearly nine years in captivity in Vietnam. Born in New Jersey, Thompson worked in a grocery store before he was drafted by the United States Army in 1956. After basic training at Fort Dix, New Jersey, Thompson decided to make the military his career. He completed Officer Candidate School and after a tour of duty in Korea, he joined the Army Special Forces as a Green Beret. Captain Thompson went to Vietnam in December 1963 and was captured on March 26,1964. He was released on March 16, 1973, 10 days short of 9 years. The years following his homecoming, however, were far from happy. Thompson's marriage had been troubled even before his captivity. He and his wife divorced in 1975. Thompson later remarried, but divorced soon afterwards. Thompson was never able to form any kind of a relationship with his children. His daughters were only 6, 5 and 4 when he left and his son was born the day of his capture. Ironically, Thompson said that one of the things that helped him cope with his brutal imprisonment was thinking of the fine family that awaited his return. Thompson developed a very serious drinking problem and was in several military hospitals for treatment. In 1981, while still on active duty, Thompson suffered a massive heart attack and also suffered a severe stroke that left his disabled for the rest of his life. In 1990, Thompson's son Jim was convicted of murder and imprisoned. It should be pointed out that few know of Thompson's distinction as the longest held prisoner. Many think it is Naval Commander Everett Alvarez.