Author Topic: Cactus Air Force: Over and Out! RIP Col. John Thompson  (Read 2199 times)

Offline Trailrider

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Cactus Air Force: Over and Out! RIP Col. John Thompson
« on: December 20, 2013, 11:50:40 AM »
Col. John Thompson, USAF (Ret.), former captain Army Air Forces, 67th Fighter Squadron, Guadalcanal, passed away peacefully in his sleep yesterday at age 101.  During the Battle of Edson's (Bloody) Ridge, then Capt. Thompson, flying one of only three serviceable P-39 and P-400 fighters, strafed Japanese troops attacking the Marine Raiders on the ridge, enabling the Marines to hang onto the ridge and protect Henderson Field. Because of the lack of equipment to recharge their oxygen system, the P-39/P-400's were restricted to flying below 11,000 feet. As a result, they were best suited to close air support roles on the 'canal. (They would not have been much of a match against Zeros, either!) Col. Thompson was one of a few Army Air Forces pilots awarded the Navy Cross!

I was privileged to have met Col. Thompson a few years ago at the annual banquet given by the United Veterans Committee of Colorado.

Rest In Peace, Sir! And thank you for your service!
Ride to the sound of the guns, but watch out for bushwhackers! Godspeed to all in harm's way in the defense of Freedom! God Bless America!

Your obedient servant,
Trailrider,
Bvt. Lt. Col. Commanding,
Southern District
Dept. of the Platte, GAF

Offline Niederlander

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Re: Cactus Air Force: Over and Out! RIP Col. John Thompson
« Reply #1 on: December 20, 2013, 12:59:07 PM »
Godspeed, Colonel!
"There go those Nebraskans, and all hell couldn't stop them!"

Offline Charlie Bowdre

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Re: Cactus Air Force: Over and Out! RIP Col. John Thompson
« Reply #2 on: December 21, 2013, 09:31:57 PM »
I am always amazed at how regular guys can show up in harms way and without fanfare do an extraordinary service.
God speed  and God Bless to this gentleman.
dutchy
"I'm too old to go soldiering any more , too stiff in the joints to ride point and too dam fat to wrestle drunks Any day they don't pat you on the face with a shovel is a good one"

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Re: Cactus Air Force: Over and Out! RIP Col. John Thompson
« Reply #3 on: Today at 01:37:47 AM »

Offline Texas Lawdog

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Re: Cactus Air Force: Over and Out! RIP Col. John Thompson
« Reply #3 on: December 21, 2013, 09:44:35 PM »
It is ashamed that we are losing so many of these WW2 vets. They are our greatest generation. I have been fortunate to have met many of these men during my time as a member of the Commemorative Air Force. They are special men who served in our military during a time when our country needed them most.
SASS#47185  RO I   ROII       NCOWS#2244  NCOWS Life #186  BOLD#393 GAF#318 SCORRS#1 SBSS#1485  WASA#666  RATS#111  BOSS#155  Storm#241 Henry 1860#92 W3G#1000  Warthog AZSA #28  American Plainsmen Society #69  Masonic Cowboy Shootist  Hiram's Rangers#18  FOP  Lt. Col  Grand Army of The Frontier, Life Member CAF
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Offline Tascosa Joe

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Re: Cactus Air Force: Over and Out! RIP Col. John Thompson
« Reply #4 on: December 22, 2013, 07:57:46 AM »
Thank you for your service sir.  May you rest in the arms of the Lord.
NRA Life, TSRA Life, NCOWS  Life

Offline Tsalagidave

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Re: Cactus Air Force: Over and Out! RIP Col. John Thompson
« Reply #5 on: December 27, 2013, 11:55:25 AM »
Thank you for your service Col.

Rest now, until we all meet again on the other side of the river.

-Dave
Guns don't kill people; fathers with pretty daughters do.

 

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