Sponsored by:

Navy Federal Credit Union
William
Darius
Thompson

Awards Received

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    First Lieutenant (Infantry)

    Batallion:

    M.G. Battalion

    Regiment:

    1st Brigade

    Division:

    1st Division, American Expeditionary Forces

    Action Date:

    World War I
    Headquarters, 1st Division, A.E.F., General Orders No. 13 (March 16, 1918)

    By direction of the President, under the provisions of the act of Congress approved July 9, 1918 (Bul. No. 43, W.D., 1918), First Lieutenant (Infantry) William D. Thompson, United States Army (Reserve), is cited by the Commanding General, 1st Division, American Expeditionary Forces, for gallantry in action and a silver star may be placed upon the ribbon of the Victory Medals awarded him. First Lieutenant Thompson distinguished himself by gallantry in action while serving with the M.G. Battalion, 1st Brigade, 1st Division, American Expeditionary Forces, in action during World War I. First Lieutenant courageously proceeded over ground outside the trench to his gun position in spite of a gas attack and a heavy barrage.

  • Distinguished Service Cross

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Captain (Infantry)

    Batallion:

    2d Machine-Gun Battalion

    Division:

    1st Division, American Expeditionary Forces

    Action Date:

    October 4, 1918
    War Department, General Orders No. 68 (1920)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Captain (Infantry) William Darius Thompson, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with 2d Machine-Gun Battalion, 1st Division, American Expeditionary Forces, near Fleville, France, 4 October 1918. By skillfully employing his machine-guns, Captain Thompson silenced the fire of hostile guns, which were holding up the progress of the infantry. He also led an attack on several nests with the aid of tanks, and, when his objective was reached and his guns placed, he returned through the heavy barrage and brought up a platoon of infantry which had been lost. He was severely wounded in this last exploit.