THOMPSON DAVID E #2

COL David E. Thompson was a potential VHPA member who died after his tour in Vietnam on 11/10/2013 at the age of 78.7
Mechanicsburg, PA
Date of Birth 03/04/1935
Served in the U.S. Army
Served in Vietnam with B/7/1 CAV in 68-69
This information was provided by SSN search July 2014

More detail on this person: Col David Edward Thompson Col. (USA ret.) David Edward Thompson Sentinel, The (Carlisle, PA) - Monday, November 11, 2013 Col. (USA ret.) David Edward Thompson, died Sunday, Nov. 10, 2013 at his residence in Mechanicsburg, PA with his loving family by his side. Born in San Mateo CA, he was the son of the late Edward and Martha Thompson and was preceded in death by his sister, Mary Susan Sarantakes. Survivors include Margaret E. Thompson; three sons, Col. (Ret.) David E. Thompson II, Louisville, KY, Robert J. Thompson DVM, Geneva NY, Jeffrey B. Thompson, Denver CO; two daughters, Heather Thompson, NY, NY and Margaret Hays, Gilroy, CA and eight grandchildren. A graduate of the University of California at Davis, B.S., he received an M.S. from University of Southern California and also was a graduate of the Army War College and the National War College. A member of MOAA, Sons of the American Revolution and Quiet Birdmen, Thompson was a volunteer at Gettysburg National Park Visitors Center for many years. Commissioned in 1957 and retired in 1987 he achieved the level of Master Army Aviator, rated in fixed wing and rotary wing aircraft. His service specialties included Armor officer, Operations, Plans and Training officer, Combat Aviation Officer and Strategist. Thompson was awarded Silver Star, Distinguished Flying Cross, Bronze Star with 1 oak leaf cluster, Air Medal with 28 oak leaf clusters, Legion of Merit, Defense Superior Service Medal Defense Meritorious Service Medal with 2 oak leaf clusters, National Defense Service ribbon, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry with Gold Star, Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry with palm, Memorial Medal Ministry of National Defense Republic of China, Kuang -Hua Medal Republic of China, and the Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation, Joint Chiefs of Staff and General Staff Identification Badge, Senior and Master Army Aviator Badges. Col. Thompson received the Silver Star for Gallantry in action in late 1968 after his dramatic rescue of then Lt. Nick Rowe; a five-year prisoner of the Viet Cong. Rowe's book "Five Years to Freedom" recounts the experience. A celebration of life service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Friday, Nov. 22, at the Hoffman-Roth Funeral Home, 219 N. Hanover St., Carlisle PA. A visitation will held from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the service on Friday at the funeral home. Interment will follow at a later date in Arlington National Cemetery with full military honors. Memorial contributions may be made to Cumberland Valley Chapter - MOAA, Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 278, Carlisle PA 17013

Burial information: Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, VA

This information was last updated 09/11/2020

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Date posted on this site: 03/10/2024


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