Francis James Thompson
Cullum No. 23269
Hostile Death, Vietnam, 24 January 1967    Aged 29
Internment: National Cemetery, Raleigh, North Carolina

FRANCIS JAMES THOMPSON was born in New York City on 10 August 1937. His early years and family roots were there, and, throughout his life, Frank retained a love and zest for returning to “The City.” Frank, an Army brat, grew up at a succession of posts scattered from Germany to Japan. He graduated from Highland Falls (New York) High School in 1955, and immediately enlisted in the Army to pursue his chosen career. There was no vacillation in Frank’s mind; he had wanted, for years, to be an Army officer and an Infantryman.

Frank was assigned to the United States Military Academy Preparatory School at Stewart Field, New York, after taking basic training at Fort Dix, New Jersey. Later his enlisted training was to assist him in attaining an empathy with his men that few officers achieve.  At Stewart Field, Frank prepared himself to enter the Academy; however, he never let his preparations interfere with his boundless love of life and his capacity for making any social gathering a memorable one.

On 3 July 1956, Frank entered the Academy as a member of the Class of 1960. Even as a supposedly shell-shocked plebe, he looked every inch the confident soldier. Frank passed the succeeding years at the Academy with his usual grace and aplomb, and he found numerous occasions to visit the New York he loved. 

Frank’s favorite extra curricular activity was football. He worked diligently to become a tackle on Army’s first 150-pound football team. Frank was proud of the 150’s, and proud of being a member of this talented team. He won his “A” complete with the Navy stars in both his second and first-class years.

Frank was commissioned a second lieutenant of Infantry on 8 June 1960. Here at last was the goal-the challenge he had always sought. He attended the Infantry Officers Orientation Course, and Ranger and Airborne training at Fort Benning before reporting to the 82d Airborne Division at Fort Bragg. 

His first assignment at Fort Bragg was as a rifle platoon leader in D Company, 2d Airborne Battle Group, 504th Infantry. Frank applied himself to his new assignment with the energy and enthusiasm that all who knew him admired. He became, as his experienced company commander said, “the best Infantry lieutenant that I have ever seen.” He loved troop duty, and cast himself wholeheartedly into all facets of his life as platoon leader. 

Frank left the 82d Airborne Division in September of 1962 to join the 7th Special forces Group. Unconventional warfare training, Amharic language training, numerous field exercises, and field training culminated in an assignment as executive officer, and later commanding officer, of a 6th Special Forces “A” detachment in Ethiopia, he was reassigned as assistant S2 of the 3d Special Forces Group at Fort Bragg.

While a member of the 6th Special Forces Group, Frank found time to meet, pursue, and court, with his typical vigor, the gracious Patricia Ann Tripp of Dunn, North Carolina. They were married in December 1963. Pat and Frank had two wonderful boys: James Nicholas (Jay), born at Fort Bragg, and Sean Michael, born at Fort Benning while Frank was attending the Infantry Officers Career Course in 1965-1966.

Frank demonstrated his excellence as an officer in the career course by graduating as an honor student. Frank loved his profession, and he pursued its intricacies with his own program of study and reading. After the career course, Frank attended the Pathfinder course before reporting for duty with the 1st Infantry Division in Vietnam. He served with the 2d Battalion, 2d Infantry, tin the “Big Red One,” initially as battalion communications officer and headquarters company commander. On 15 October 1966, Frank was assigned as company commander of A Company, 2d Battalion, 2d Infantry, an assignment which he performed in his usual outstanding manner. 

Frank was killed on 24 January 1967, by an enemy mine while leading his company in clearing a Viet Cong tunnel complex. He died as he lived, gallantly serving his country and performing the job he loved so well. Frank received the Silver Star for gallantry in the action which took his life. He was also awarded the Bronze Star for meritorious service, the Air Medal, the Purple Heart, and the Combat Infantryman Badge. The Republic of South Vietnam awarded him the Gallantry Cross with Palm and the National Order Medal Fifth Class for his gallantry and distinguished service. 

Frank was very special to all who knew him, and like many special people who die young, he left his mark with us. He was a steadfast, loyal friend, a dedicated, professional soldier, and a wonderfully kindhearted man with a rare zest for life. His own unique vitality was part of everything he did, and his vitality touched, brightened, and inspired all who came in contact with him. He loved Rudyard Kipling’s verses, particularly the “Barrack-Room Ballads,  and it seems appropriate to say farewell to such a wonder friend and soldier by paraphrasing Kipling’s “To Thomas Atkins”:

     So, until that day comes around
     Heaven keep you safe and sound,
     And, Frank, here’s our best respects to you”!
                                                                                      --- His Classmates