He was born on November 11, 1930 in Bronx, NY, the son of the late William Ganoe and Margaret Helen (Morris) Thompson.
Mr. Thompson was a highly decorated military man serving over 20 years- first, in the US Navy during the Korean War on the USS Columbus; in the US Army with 1st Special Forces Group in Okinawa, Japan and 5th Special Forces Group in Vietnam; and in the US Air Force in England, Vietnam, and Pease AFB, NH retiring as an Air Force Technical Sergeant in 1968 and transferring to civil service in Vietnam.
After his military career, he worked for AID and the U.S Department of State in the Bureau of Diplomatic Security for the Office of Dignitary Protection. He retired with over 55 years of service from the military and the Federal Government.
In addition to The Medal of Civilian Service in Vietnam, Mr. Thompson’s military awards and decorations include: the Airman's Medal, Bronze Star Medal (with Oak Leaf Cluster(OLC)), Purple Heart, Air Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal (with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters), Army Good Conduct Medal (with 3 Bronze Loops), Navy Good Conduct Medal, Air Force Good Conduct Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Vietnam Service Medal (with 5 Campaign Stars), The Air Force Longevity Service Award (with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters), the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal (with 1960 Device), the Parachutist Badges from the United States and the Republic of Vietnam.
Survivors include his wife, Nancy D. Thompson; one son, Kevin Thompson of California; one stepson, Scott Masters of Jacksonville, FL; one daughter, Denise Korsaks, and two grandchildren, David and Alexandra Korsaks of all of England.
He was predeceased by his three brothers, Samuel D. Thompson, Eric Thompson, William Thompson and one sister, Dorothy Thompson.
The family will receive friends on Tuesday, November 10, 2020 from 11:00-12:00pm at Mullins & Thompson Funeral Service, 186 Shelton Shop Road, Stafford, VA. A Graveside service will follow at 12:30pm Tuesday at the Quantico National Cemetery, 19424 Joplin Road, Triangle, VA.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Special Forces Education Assistance Fund (please specify the donation is for the “SFA Scholarship Fund” https://www.specialforcesassociation.org/donations/scholarship-fund/ ).
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