MG John Thompson USA(Retired)Cullum: 25698 Class: 1965 Cadet Company: B1 Date of Birth: December 23, 1943 Date of Death: November 16, 2019 Died in: Alexandria, VA Interred: Inurned, West Point Cemetery, West Point, NY - View or Post a Eulogy |
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John Charles Thompson was born December 23, 1943 and passed away unexpectedly November 16, 2019 in Alexandria, VA. Raised in Louisiana, he cherished memories of his idyllic childhood in Monroe and his exciting high school years in Mobile, AL. “Thomps” was a gifted student, disciplined athlete and passionate lover of live music. Driven by both his internal compass and direction of his loving family, he secured a nomination to the Academy directly out of high school.
His Howitzer entry, besides reflecting a wide range of interests—language clubs, judo, sky-diving, skeet and trap, math, debate, rocket club, and Dialectic Society—also noted: “a rollicking sense of humor, and an ability with words that kept him on top in all situations. Johnny was never too busy to help a friend in need. With his winning personality and high sense of duty, he shall be a great success and serve our country well.” Commissioned in the Armor branch upon graduation, he would fulfill that prophecy time and again, in and out of uniform, touching the lives of his soldiers as well as his own family.
His talent for leading was recognized early in his career as he served with valor in Vietnam and left that experience with a deep, personal understanding of the tragedy of war and the human want for peace. He met his future wife, Linda, in Vermont, fell in love with her in Spain and through their tremendous 47-year partnership helped raise and support two resilient daughters and family that made him infinitely proud.
John’s life was characterized by a passion for learning and teaching. He earned a master’s degree in foreign language and literature from Middlebury College and another in military art and science from the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth, KS. He also completed graduate coursework at Stanford University, the Maxwell School at Syracuse University, New York University, Johns Hopkins University, and the National Autonomous University of Mexico. John served as a teacher at West Point, both unofficially, as a fun-loving cadet who led classmates by example, and later officially, teaching Spanish as a professor in the Foreign Language Department.
His exceptional leadership skills, combined with his intellectual acumen, were evidenced by recurring command assignments: 1st Battalion, 68th Armor Regimetn at Wildflecken, Germany; the 1st Brigade of the 2nd Armored Division at Fort Hood, TX; deputy commandant of the Command and General Staff College; and assistant division commander of the 5th Infantry Division at Fort Polk, LA. Other notable assignments included his time as chairman of the Inter-American Defense Board; commanding general, United States Total Army Personnel Command; and director of operations for the U.S. Southern Command in Panama. Most recently, as part of his civilian career, he served as dean of students at the National Defense University’s Perry Center for Hemispheric Defense Studies, where he thoughtfully worked with Latin American dignitaries, soldiers and concerned civilians on issues involving shared security challenges and opportunities, transitional justice, training, and education.
In retirement, he served as a substitute teacher in the Fairfax County Public Schools, frequently volunteered with election activities at all levels of government, and most importantly served as a loving companion to his wife and mentor to his daughters. He loved to laugh, eat home-cooked meals, watch baseball and football and share reflections drawn from music and his favorite poetry compilation, One Hundred and One Famous Poems. He relished his role as a grandfather, planning cross-country road trips to visit family and sharing with each of them his love of music, fitness, history, ancestry, and literature.
A most sincere kindness, both personal and professional, was a hallmark of his character. He considered it his life’s mission to help others. He worked earnestly and tirelessly to improve the lives of all, both in his Army and civilian careers, where his passion for inspiring the best in people enabled numerous successful Army operations throughout the world with a particular impact on the U.S. and Latin American relations.
Those who served with him attribute their own successes to John’s remarkable and inspirational persona. An officer whom John mentored said: “Major General Thompson’s ability to lead and motivate soldiers to excel was second to none. His concern for soldiers was part of his DNA. He always challenged those whom he led to strive for excellence.” A cadet whom John coached said: “He was a fine man. He had a wonderful sense of humor and he cared about his students. He has been in my thoughts through my 20 years of service on active duty and my 18 years as a senior Army JROTC instructor, always as the kind of leader and man that I aspired to be. I can only hope that he would have been as proud of my service to my country as I was of having known him and having had the privilege of being influenced by his leadership and example. Always, when I think of what West Point represents to me, he will remain at the top of my list as the example of what it means to be a West Point graduate, an Army officer and a man.” Another officer said: “Major General John C. Thompson’s leadership and guidance put me on a path that would lead to battalion command, promotion to colonel and a 30-year career in the Army. He was a true professional, a mentor and a kind leader whose touch I will always remember. Sir—Be Thou at Peace.”
— Classmate Jack Lyons, with JCT’s daughters, Heather T. Votava and Johanna T. Wynne
