Max Thompson
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| Max Thompson | |
|---|---|
| July 21, 1922 – November 30, 1996 (aged 74) | |
 Max Thompson, Medal of Honor recipient |
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| Place of birth | Bethel, North Carolina |
| Allegiance | United States of America |
| Service/branch | United States Army |
| Rank | Technical Sergeant |
| Unit | 18th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division |
| Battles/wars | World War II |
| Awards | Medal of Honor |
Max Thompson (July 21, 1922 – November 30, 1996) was a United States Army soldier and a recipient of the United States military's highest decoration—the Medal of Honor—for his actions in World War II.
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[edit] Biography
Thompson joined the Army from Prescott, Arizona, and by October 18, 1944 was serving as a Sergeant in Company K, 18th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division. During a battle on that day, near Haaren, Germany, he single-handedly attacked the German forces on several occasions. For his actions, he was awarded the Medal of Honor eight months later, on June 18, 1945.
Thompson reached the rank of Technical Sergeant before leaving the Army. He died at age 74 and was buried in Forest Lawn Cemetery, Enka, North Carolina.
[edit] Medal of Honor citation
Sergeant Thompson's official Medal of Honor citation reads:
On 18 October 1944, Company K, 18th Infantry, occupying a position on a hill near Haaren, Germany, was attacked by an enemy infantry battalion supported by tanks. The assault was preceded by an artillery concentration, lasting an hour, which inflicted heavy casualties on the company. While engaged in moving wounded men to cover, Sgt. Thompson observed that the enemy had overrun the positions of the 3d Platoon. He immediately attempted to stem the enemy's advance single-handedly. He manned an abandoned machinegun and fired on the enemy until a direct hit from a hostile tank destroyed the gun. Shaken and dazed, Sgt. Thompson picked up an automatic rifle and although alone against the enemy force which was pouring into the gap in our lines, he fired burst after burst, halting the leading elements of the attack and dispersing those following. Throwing aside his automatic rifle, which had jammed, he took up a rocket gun, fired on a light tank, setting it on fire. By evening the enemy had been driven from the greater part of the captured position but still held 3 pillboxes. Sgt. Thompson's squad was assigned the task of dislodging the enemy from these emplacements. Darkness having fallen and finding that fire of his squad was ineffective from a distance, Sgt. Thompson crawled forward alone to within 20 yards of 1 of the pillboxes and fired grenades into it. The Germans holding the emplacement concentrated their fire upon him. Though wounded, he held his position fearlessly, continued his grenade fire, and finally forced the enemy to abandon the blockhouse. Sgt. Thompson's courageous leadership inspired his men and materially contributed to the clearing of the enemy from his last remaining hold on this important hill position.
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- Max Thompson at Find A Grave Retrieved on 2007-10-03
- Medal of Honor Recipients - World War II (T-Z). Medal of Honor Citations. U.S. Army Center of Military History (July 16, 2007). Retrieved on 2007-10-03.
