| James E. Thompson Jr. | |
|---|---|
 Thompson as commander of the 101st Airborne Division. From 1985's Army Executive Biographies. | |
| Born | October 13, 1935 |
| Place of birth | Durham, North Carolina |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Service/branch |
 United States Army |
| Years of service | 1957–1991 |
| Rank |
 Lieutenant General |
| Unit | United States Army Infantry Branch |
| Commands held |
First 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/wars | Vietnam War |
| Awards |
Defense Superior Service Medal Distinguished Flying Cross Soldier's Medal Bronze Star Medal Purple Heart Air Medal |
James E. Thompson Jr. (born October 13, 1935) is a retired 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.[1] was born in Durham, North Carolina on October 13, 1935,[2] and graduated from the University of Florida in 1957 with a bachelor of arts degree in education.[2] While in college, Thompson completed the Reserve Officers' Training Corps program, and at his graduation he was commissioned a second lieutenant of Infantry.[2]
Military education[]
After receiving his commission, Thompson completed Infantry Officer Basic Course.[2] His later military education included the Infantry Officer Advanced Course, Air Command and Staff College, and United States Army War College.[2] In addition, he received a master of arts degree in political science from Auburn University.[2]
Early career[]
During the Vietnam War, Thompson commanded the 162nd Aviation Company (Assault Helicopter) during the first half of 1968.[3] Thompson’s later field grade officer assignments included: commander, 1st Battalion, 5th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division;[2] assistant chief of staff for operations, plans and training (G-3), 25th Infantry Division;[2] director, military planning studies (European regions), Army War College;[2] and commander, 3d Brigade, 101st Airborne Division.[2]
Career as 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;[2] deputy director for plans and policy, United States Pacific Command;[2] and deputy director for operations, readiness, and mobilization in the Office of the Army's Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations (G-3).[2]
Thompson was assigned as commander of the 101st Airborne Division in August 1983,[2] and he served until June 1985.[4] From 1985 to 1987, Thompson was commandant of the Army War College.[4][5]
In June 1987, Thompson was assigned as commander of First United States Army;[6] he held this position until retiring in 1991.[6]
Awards and decorations[]
Thompson’s major awards and decorations include: Defense Superior Service Medal;[2] Distinguished Flying Cross (with two oak leaf clusters);[2] Soldier's Medal;[2] Bronze Star Medal (with two Oak Leaf Clusters);[2] Purple Heart;[2] Air Medal (multiple awards);[2] and Army Commendation Medal (with "V" Device for valor and oak leaf cluster).[2] His qualification badges included: Master Army Aviator Badge;[2] Parachutist Badge;[2] and Air Assault Badge.[2]
Family[]
He is married to the former Patricia Cofer and they have two children: James and Tamara.[2]
In retirement, Thompson resided in St. Simons, Georgia.[7]
References[]
- ↑ Official U.S. Army Register (1961).
- ↑ 2.00 2.01 2.02 2.03 2.04 2.05 2.06 2.07 2.08 2.09 2.10 2.11 2.12 2.13 2.14 2.15 2.16 2.17 2.18 2.19 2.20 2.21 2.22 2.23 2.24 Army Executive Biographies.
- ↑ "The 162nd Aviation Company (Assault Helicopter), 1965-1972".
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 "Screaming Eagles Known Over Globe, Chief Says".
- ↑ "Commandants of the U.S. Army War College, 1902-2015".
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 "New 1st Army Commander Offers Warning: Taking Charge, Johnson Tells Of Tough Times".
- ↑ "ROMEO group traveled to Fort Stewart".
Sources[]
Books[]
- United States Army Adjutant General (1961). Official U.S. Army Register. Washington, DC: Headquarters, Department of the Army (via Ancestry.com). p. 536. https://www.ancestry.com.
- Department of the Army, Deputy Chief of Staff for Personnel (May 15, 1985). Department of the Army Pamphlet 360-10, Army Executive Biographies. Headquarters, Department of the Army: Washington, DC. p. 437. https://archive.org/stream/armyexecutivebio00wash#page/436/.
Internet[]
- Gause, Stan (2006). "The 162nd Aviation Company (Assault Helicopter), 1965-1972". Grand Prairie, TX: Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association. pp. 3, 24–29, 35. http://www.vhpa.org/unit/162ndHistory.pdf.
- "Commandants of the U.S. Army War College, 1902-2015". Carlisle Barracks, PA: United States Army War College. 2015. p. 6. http://usawc.org/Portals/0/docs/Commandants2015.pdf.
Newspapers[]
- Barefoot, Wayne (June 19, 1985). "Screaming Eagles Known Over Globe, Chief Says". Nashville Tennesseean. Nashville, TN. p. 11-A. https://www.newspapers.com/image/112732331/.
- Hermann, Peter (May 31, 1991). "New 1st Army Commander Offers Warning: Taking Charge, Johnson Tells Of Tough Times". Baltimore Sun. Baltimore, MD. http://articles.baltimoresun.com/1991-05-31/news/9113005657_1_fort-meade-commander-82nd-airborne.
- "ROMEO group traveled to Fort Stewart". Coastal Illustrated. St. Simons, GA. April 13, 2016. http://www.coastalillustrated.com/columns/community_news/article_eedf675c-00c6-11e6-960a-1ffd4fd27059.html.
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