Max Thompson (July 21, 1922 – November 30, 1996) was a United States Army soldier and a recipient of the United States military's highest decoration—the Medal of Honor—for his actions in World War II.
Sergeant Thompson's official Medal of Honor citation reads:
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.[1]
^ abcdeStockton, Ron (November 11, 2010). "2 Haywood County World War II heroes among few to get Medal of Honor". Asheville Citizen-Times. Asheville, North Carolina. Archived from the original on November 14, 2010.
^"Max Thompson". Claim to Fame: Medal of Honor recipients. Find a Grave. Retrieved 2007-10-03.
February 12, 2023
thompson, medal, honor, thompson, july, 1922, november, 1996, united, states, army, soldier, recipient, united, states, military, highest, decoration, medal, honor, actions, world, thompsonborn, 1922, july, 1922bethel, haywood, county, north, carolinadiednovem. Max Thompson July 21 1922 November 30 1996 was a United States Army soldier and a recipient of the United States military s highest decoration the Medal of Honor for his actions in World War II Max ThompsonBorn 1922 07 21 July 21 1922Bethel Haywood County North CarolinaDiedNovember 30 1996 1996 11 30 aged 74 Haywood County North CarolinaPlace of burialForest Lawn Cemetery Enka North CarolinaAllegianceUnited States of AmericaService wbr branchUnited States ArmyRankTechnical SergeantUnit3rd Battalion 18th Infantry Regiment 1st Infantry DivisionBattles warsWorld War IIAwardsMedal of HonorPurple HeartOrder of Glory Soviet Union Born in the community of Bethel in Haywood County North Carolina Thompson joined the Army from Prescott Arizona 1 2 on 18 November 1942 3 By October 18 1944 he was serving in Europe as a sergeant in Company K 18th Infantry Regiment 1st Infantry Division During a battle on that day near Haaren Germany he single handedly attacked the German forces on several occasions For his actions he was awarded the Medal of Honor eight months later on June 18 1945 1 He was one of two people from Haywood County North Carolina to receive the medal in World War II the other being William D Halyburton Jr 2 In addition to the Medal of Honor Thompson also received the Purple Heart and from the Soviet Union the Order of Glory third class a Presidential Unit Citation with two Oak Leaf Clusters the Good Conduct Medal and the European theatre ribbon with five battle stars and the Invasion arrow He reached the rank of technical sergeant before leaving the Army 2 After his military service Thompson worked in Canton North Carolina for Champion International Paper s inspection department 2 He died at age 74 on November 30 1996 and was buried at Forest Lawn Cemetery in Enka North Carolina 2 4 A road in near Canton was renamed in his honor Medal of Honor citation EditSergeant Thompson s official Medal of Honor citation reads 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 1 See also Edit Biography portal World War II portalList of Medal of Honor recipients for World War IIReferences Edit a b c Medal of Honor Recipients World War II T Z Medal of Honor Citations United States Army Center of Military History August 3 2009 Archived from the original on December 31 2009 Retrieved November 12 2010 a b c d e Stockton Ron November 11 2010 2 Haywood County World War II heroes among few to get Medal of Honor Asheville Citizen Times Asheville North Carolina Archived from the original on November 14 2010 WWII Army Enlistment Records Max Thompson Claim to Fame Medal of Honor recipients Find a Grave Retrieved 2007 10 03 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Max Thompson Medal of Honor amp oldid 1088405057, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
