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<em>Thomas Donald Thompson Jr., </em>was born 14 July 1945, in Los Angeles, California, a few weeks before the end of World War II.</p>
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His military heritage included his father, a regular Air Force Officer, and his father’s brother. Second Lieutenant Frederick Miller Thompson, U.S. Army, tenth in his Class 1937 at West Point, who was killed in an aircraft crash during pilot training at Randolph Field, 7 June 1938.</p>
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“Tommy Jr.,” attended schools in California, Guam, Washington State, Florida, Thailand, and graduated from Wakefield High School, Arlington, Virginia, in 1963.</p>
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He was an Explorer Scout, active in all sports and an outstanding student…a perfect candidate for West Point. When his family left for Argentina for an Attaché assignment, he was employed as a lifeguard at the Army-Navy Country Club in Washington, D.C. He won a competitive exam for a Congressional appointment from California, and entered the Academy in June 1963 at 17 years of age.</p>
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There was no plebe leave in the summer of 1964, but in 1965, he made it to Panama, where he met his father. They flew back together to Argentina in the Attaché plane, Tommy Jr. sitting in as co-pilot for his dad, with layovers in Lima, Peru, and Santiago, Chile. Diplomatic receptions followed, with trout fishing in the Andes; exotic game bird shooting over the family’s Brittany spaniel; and hunting for black-buck. This was not his first big game hunt since he had hunted with his dad in India when he was thirteen and where he got his first black-buck trophy.</p>
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During that summer of 1965, he made side trips to Paraguay and Brazil. His family and friends were pleasantly surprised by his excellent command of the Spanish language; he also displayed his mastery of the guitar, self-taught during his first two years at the Academy. He made many Argentine friends, including some famous race drivers, and even got to try out their ears.</p>
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His love of adventure resulted in four years on the West Point Sky Diving Team, and a trip to Europe during the summer of 1966 the Collection of the U.S. Military Academy Library with his classmate, Chad W. Keck. They toured the continent in a sports car they bought on arrival, and "followed the bulls" all over Spain, in the Hemingway tradition.</p>
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He remained on the Dean’s List during his entire four years, and excelled in fencing and tennis. On graduation, he was a cadet lieutenant on the staff of the First Regiment, First Battalion.</p>
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His family had completed the Argentine tour and were stationed in Washington, D.C., during the latter part of his First Class year. Weekends, the streets in front of the family home resembled the "pit stop” at Indianapolis Speedway, because he and his classmates parked the newly acquired sports cars there, Corvettes then being the majority choice.</p>
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The entire family was present for his graduation on 7 June 1967, when his father swore in his only son as a Second Lieutenant, U.S. Army. His grandfather, a World War I Marine, his grandmother, and his sister were there to share this proud day.</p>
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As a graduation present, he and his dad took leave, and went on a first class safari to Kenya, East Africa. During this memorable trip, he shot an elephant with magnificent ivory tusks, each weighing over 100 pounds, as well as leopard, Cape buffalo, kudu and many other species.</p>
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From Africa he went to Fort Bragg for Ranger and parachute training. He was then assigned to A Troop, 1/17 Cavalry, 82d Airborne Division, from May to December of I9B8.</p>
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After Armor School at Fort Knox, he received his orders to Vietnam. A final Christmas visit was made to his family in the mountains of Northern California, where they were building their retirement home. He caught steelhead on the Klamath River, and went duck hunting before departing for Travis AFB, where his family saw him off.</p>
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On arrival at Bien Hoa, he was assigned to the "Lighthorse Cavalry,” 3d Squadron, 4th Cavalry, of the 25th Infantry Division, where his classmate, Philip A. Hogue Jr. was the Executive Officer. He took over the 3d Platoon of B Troop, and immediately went into combat in the Boloi Woods, on the Cambodian border.</p>
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He was slightly wounded on February 28, and was killed by hostile fire on 2 March 1969. He was loved by his family and friends. A few excerpts from the many letters received by his family:</p>
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From Lieutenant Colonel Robert S. McGowan ’52, Commander, 3d Squadron, 4th Cavalry, Vietnam: "Tommy was a magnificent leader of men, so proud of his heritage and training, so able to lead by example. His track was in font, leading and showing the way for the rest of his platoon and troop. Tommy was killed when enemy fire struck him from his place of command as his platoon was attacking the enemy bunkered position through which B Troop was maneuvering.”</p>
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From Captain Michael D. Jackson, Commander, Troop B, 3/4 Cavalry, Vietnam: “Tom’s bravery and coolness in battle were an inspiration to all who saw him. He was a professional in the best sense of the word, and no higher tribute can be paid to him than to say that he was a first class combat leader.”</p>
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From Sergeant First Class Robert Maxey, Troop B, 3/4 Cavalry, Vietnam: “He was more than just another officer to us. He was a good friend. The men were able to talk to him in their own manner and respected him for his ability in the field. It is not often in 24 years of service that a man is privileged to serve under as fine an officer and gentleman as Lieutenant Thompson was. Maybe in a way this is not right because all our future platoon leaders will be judged on how they compare to him. He was that well respected and liked. The last time he and I were together in battle was on 28 February, when our platoon accounted for 20 of 29 North Vietnamese killed. He and the men were really outstanding.'*</p>
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From Sergeant Lee Justice, A Troop 1/17 Cavalry, Fort Bragg: “I was his Platoon Sergeant and I guess I knew him better than anyone else here in the Troop. Lieutenant Thompson was a good soldier and believed in what he was doing. His main desire was to get to Vietnam and get in the fight. He was a natural leader in the field, but he didn’t care much for garrison duty. He was like a part of my family.”</p>
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From Captain Edward R. Kennedy, U.S. Army (Retired): "To a soldier, a soldier’s brother, a soldier’s wife and a soldier’s parents: How many years we get on this earth is not so important as what we do with them. You packed more experience and living into Tom’s few years than most people get in three score and ten. The hazards of the profession of arms are well known to those of us who have experienced them. We mourn the death of a Cavalry officer of the United States Army. We grieve in the loss of a loved one. The former must overshadow the latter. Our family sabre is unsheathed, in the tradition of the old Corps ... The black knot affixed at the hilt. This is our mourning to a man who died with his boots on. And every inch a man and soldier dedicated to the highest sense of duty, honor, country. Tom kept his honor bright. And that luster will be kept untarnished by generations past, present and future, who tread the Gray Line across the Plain at West Point. I salute the fallen soldier son of very dear friends, as only a veteran combat officer knows how...To The Corps.”</p>
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A memorial service was held in the field, and all the men of his squadron were present.</p>
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A family service was held at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Glendale, California, on 12 March 1969. His remains were placed in the Thompson family niche with a simple plaque…his rank, name and the parachutist wings.</p>
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His decorations include: The Silver Star for gallantry in action with First Oak Leaf Cluster, Bronze Star Medal with First Oak Leaf Cluster for heroism, Army Commendation Medal for heroism, Purple Heart, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, National Order of the Republic of Vietnam, and Vietnamese Gallantry Cross with Palm.</p>
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The Lieutenant Thomas D. Thompson Jr. Memorial Award was established by Captain Edward R. Kennedy, and is presented each year to the graduating West Point Cadet who has excelled in English.</p>
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Tommy Jr. is survived by his sister, Patricia A. Dupell, and by his parents, Lieutenant Colonel and Mrs. Thomas D. Thompson of 9312 Azalea Drive, Etna, California 96027.</p>
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