"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."
From Sgt. Thompson's Medal of Honor citation, awarded on June 18, 1945.
Thank you for your service,
Brian
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