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James E. Thompson Jr.

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United States Army general
James Edward Thompson Jr.
Thompson in 1991
Born(1935-10-13)October 13, 1935
Durham, North Carolina
DiedJune 8, 2017(2017-06-08) (aged 81)
Brunswick, Georgia
BuriedChrist Church Episcopal Cemetery, St. Simons, Georgia
AllegianceUnited States
Service / branchUnited States Army
Years of service1957–1991
RankLieutenant General
CommandsFirst United States Army
United States Army War College
101st Airborne Division
3d Brigade, 101st Airborne Division
1st Battalion, 5th Infantry Regiment
162nd Aviation Company (Assault Helicopter)
Battles / warsVietnam War
AwardsArmy Distinguished Service Medal
Defense Superior Service Medal
Distinguished Flying Cross (3)
Soldier's Medal
Bronze Star Medal (2)
Purple Heart

James Edward Thompson Jr. (October 13, 1935 – June 8, 2017) was a United States Army officer. He attained the rank of lieutenant general and was a commander of the 101st Airborne Division and First United States Army.

Early life

James Edward Thompson Jr. was born in Durham, North Carolina on October 13, 1935, and graduated from the University of Florida in 1957 with a Bachelor of Arts in education. While in college, Thompson completed the Reserve Officers' Training Corps program, and at his graduation he was commissioned a second lieutenant of Infantry.

Military education

After receiving his commission, Thompson completed the Infantry Officer Basic Course. His later military education included the Infantry Officer Advanced Course, Air Command and Staff College, and United States Army War College. In addition, he received a Master of Arts in political science from Auburn University.

Military career

Early career

During the Vietnam War, Thompson commanded the 162nd Aviation Company (Assault Helicopter) during the first half of 1968. Thompson's later field grade officer assignments included: commander, 1st Battalion, 5th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division; assistant chief of staff for operations, plans and training (G-3), 25th Infantry Division; director, military planning studies (European regions), Army War College; and commander, 3d Brigade, 101st Airborne Division.

General officer

After receiving promotion to brigadier general, Thompson's assignments included: assistant division commander (ADC) for support and ADC for operations, 101st Airborne Division, Kentucky; deputy director for plans and policy, United States Pacific Command; and deputy director for operations, readiness, and mobilization in the Office of the Army's Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations (G-3).

Thompson as commander of the 101st Airborne Division in 1985

Thompson was assigned as commander of the 101st Airborne Division in August 1983, and he served until June 1985. From 1985 to 1987, Thompson was commandant of the United States Army War College.

In June 1987, Thompson was assigned as commander of First United States Army; he held this position until retiring in 1991.

Awards and decorations

Thompson's awards and decorations include:

  Master Army Aviator Badge
  Basic Parachutist Badge
  Air Assault Badge
  Army Staff Identification Badge
187th Infantry Regiment Distinctive Unit Insignia
Army Distinguished Service Medal
Defense Superior Service Medal
Distinguished Flying Cross with two bronze oak leaf clusters
Soldier's Medal
Bronze oak leaf cluster Bronze Star with oak leaf cluster
Purple Heart
Meritorious Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters
Air Medal with "V" device and bronze award numerals 65
VBronze oak leaf cluster Army Commendation Medal with V device and oak leaf cluster
 Army Presidential Unit Citation
Bronze oak leaf cluster Meritorious Unit Commendation with oak leaf cluster
Bronze star National Defense Service Medal with one bronze service star
Bronze starBronze starBronze starBronze star Vietnam Service Medal with four service stars
Army Service Ribbon
Army Overseas Service Ribbon with award numeral 2
Gold star Vietnam Gallantry Cross with gold star
Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation
 Vietnam Campaign Medal

Family

Thompson was married to Patricia (Cofer) Thompson. They were the parents of two children, James and Tamara.

Death and burial

In retirement, Thompson resided in St. Simons, Georgia. He died in Brunswick, Georgia on June 8, 2017. Thompson was buried at Christ Church Episcopal Cemetery in St. Simons.

References

  1. Official U.S. Army Register (1961).
  2. ^ Army Executive Biographies.
  3. "The 162nd Aviation Company (Assault Helicopter), 1965–1972".
  4. ^ "Screaming Eagles Known Over Globe, Chief Says".
  5. "Commandants of the U.S. Army War College, 1902–2015".
  6. ^ "New 1st Army Commander Offers Warning: Taking Charge, Johnson Tells Of Tough Times".
  7. "ROMEO group traveled to Fort Stewart".
  8. ^ "Obituary, James Edward Thompson Jr.

Sources

Books

Internet

Newspapers

Military offices
Preceded byCharles D. Franklin Commanding General of the First United States Army
1987–1991 		Succeeded byJames H. Johnson Jr.
Preceded byThomas F. Healey Commandant of the United States Army War College
1985–1987 		Succeeded byHoward D. Graves
Preceded byCharles W. Bagnal Commanding General of the 101st Airborne Division
1983–1985 		Succeeded byBurton D. Patrick
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