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PFC John Roy Thompson (June 18, 1945 – June 11, 1966)

John Roy Thompson was the son of Roy and Rosa Thompson.

He was an armor intelligence specialist with the Army.

John’s Vietnam tour began on March 17, 1966. He was attached to the 1st Infantry Division, 2nd Battalion, 28th Infantry Regiment, Unit Hhc.

Operation El Paso II took place at the Loc Rubber Plantation on a foggy morning. Air assaults were delayed by two hours due to the dense fog. John was working with the Recon Platoon. They were heading westward when they came under intense automatic rifle fire and grenades. Without any cover, they headed toward a trench. The VC had placed a machine gun at one end of the trench and opened fire on them as they headed in. The U.S. captured both hills involved, but it was at the loss of 34 U.S. troops and 98 VC.

He was only 20 years old at the time of his death. Thompson is buried at the Shady Grove Memorial Garden located in Saline

AWARD: Purple Heart

Sources: Find a Grave – findagrave.com

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