William Thompson (Medal of Honor, 1950)

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William Thompson
- August 6, 1950
Medal of Honor recipient
Place of birth	New York, New York
Place of death	Near Haman, Korea
Allegiance	United States Army
Rank	Private First Class
Unit	Company M, 24th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division

William Thompson was a soldier in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. He was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions on August 6, 1950.

[edit] Medal of Honor Citation

Rank and organization: Private First Class, U.S. Army, Company M, 24th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division

Place and date: Near Haman, Korea, 6 August 1950

Entered service at: Bronx, N.Y. Birth: New York, New York

G.O. No.: 63, 2 August 1951

Citation:

Pfc. Thompson, distinguished himself by conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty in action against the enemy. While his platoon was reorganizing under cover of darkness, fanatical enemy forces in overwhelming strength launched a surprise attack on the unit. Pfc. Thompson set up his machine gun in the path of the onslaught and swept the enemy with withering fire, pinning them down momentarily thus permitting the remainder of his platoon to withdraw to a more tenable position. Although hit repeatedly by grenade fragments and small-arms fire, he resisted all efforts of his comrades to induce him to withdraw, steadfastly remained at his machine gun and continued to deliver deadly, accurate fire until mortally wounded by an enemy grenade. Pfc. Thompson's dauntless courage and gallant self-sacrifice reflect the highest credit on himself and uphold the esteemed traditions of military service.^[1]