James E. Thompson Jr.

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.

James Edward Thompson Jr.
Thompson in 1991
Born	October 13, 1935 Durham, North Carolina
Died	June 8, 2017 (aged 81) Brunswick, Georgia
Buried	Christ Church Episcopal Cemetery, St. Simons, Georgia
Allegiance	United States
Service/branch	United States Army
Years of service	1957–1991
Rank	Lieutenant General
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	Army Distinguished Service Medal Defense Superior Service Medal Distinguished Flying Cross (3) Soldier's Medal Bronze Star Medal (2) Purple Heart

Early life

James Edward Thompson Jr. was born in Durham, North Carolina on October 13, 1935,[1][2] and graduated from the University of Florida in 1957 with a Bachelor of Arts 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 the 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 in political science from Auburn University.[2]

Military career

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]

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 as commander of the 101st Airborne Division in 1985

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 United States 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 awards and decorations include:[2]

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 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

Army Commendation Medal with V device and oak leaf cluster

Army Presidential Unit Citation

Meritorious Unit Commendation with oak leaf cluster

National Defense Service Medal with one bronze service star

Vietnam Service Medal with four service stars

Army Service Ribbon

Army Overseas Service Ribbon with award numeral 2

Vietnam Gallantry Cross with gold star

Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation

Vietnam Campaign Medal

Family

Thompson was married to Patricia (Cofer) Thompson.[2] They were the parents of two children, James and Tamara.[2]

Death and burial

In retirement, Thompson resided in St. Simons, Georgia.[7] He died in Brunswick, Georgia on June 8, 2017.[8] Thompson was buried at Christ Church Episcopal Cemetery in St. Simons.[8]

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

• United States Army Adjutant General (1961). Official U.S. Army Register. Washington, DC: Headquarters, Department of the Army (via Ancestry.com). p. 536.
• 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.

Internet

• Gause, Stan (2006). "The 162nd Aviation Company (Assault Helicopter), 1965–1972" (PDF). vhpa.org/. Grand Prairie, TX: Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association. pp. 3, 24–29, 35.
• "Commandants of the U.S. Army War College, 1902–2015" (PDF). usawc.org/. Carlisle Barracks, PA: United States Army War College. 2015. p. 6.

Newspapers

• Barefoot, Wayne (June 19, 1985). "Screaming Eagles Known Over Globe, Chief Says". Nashville Tennessean. Nashville, TN. p. 11–A.
• Hermann, Peter (May 31, 1991). "New 1st Army Commander Offers Warning: Taking Charge, Johnson Tells Of Tough Times". Baltimore Sun. Baltimore, MD.
• "ROMEO group traveled to Fort Stewart". Coastal Illustrated. St. Simons, GA. April 13, 2016.
• "Obituary, James Edward Thompson Jr". The Brunswick News. Brunswick, GA. June 13, 2017.