Taken at Dulag Luft-Oberursel

Sgt. Gordon John Thompson (17142902) was the radio operator. He was born on 6 March 1923 in St. Paul, MN, son of Charles and Mary Thompson. He enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps on 13 November 1942 at Minneapolis, MN. For his service during World War II, Thompson was awarded the Air Medal with two combat stars and the Purple Heart. He married Marjorie C. and they had five children. He was a career independent insurance agent in Minneapolis. He was a past president of the Heart Association and life member of the Disabled American Veterans. He volunteered as a DAV authorized service representative to help other veterans receive the support and benefits available to them. Thompson died at age 84 on 15 February 2008 in Minneapolis, MN. A quote by Christopher Reeve in Thompson’s obituary summed up the family’s feeling for “Gordy” – “I think a hero is an ordinary individual who finds strength to persevere and endure in spite of overwhelming obstacles.” He was buried in section 30, site 1965 at Fort Snelling National Cemetery, Minneapolis.

Fort Snelling National Cemetery

Crash of B-24 Libertor 42-78156 MACR 10935