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Navy Federal Credit Union
Dennis
Leroy
Thompson
POW (RVN)
October 16, 1942

–

Dennis Thompson was interned as a Prisoner of War in Southeast Asia after he was captured in South Vietnam during the defense of Lang Vei on February 6 and 7, 1968. He and a comrade escaped and evaded for several days until they were re-captured. He was held until his release on March 5, 1973.

Awards Received

  • Bronze Star Medal

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Sergeant First Class

    Division:

    Prisoner of War (South Vietnam)

    Action Date:

    February 7, 1968 – March 5, 1972

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Executive Order 11046, 24 August 1962, takes pleasure in presenting a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Bronze Star Medal to Sergeant First Class Dennis Leroy Thompson (ASN: RA-19645698), United States Army, for outstandingly meritorious service in connection with military operations against a hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam. Sergeant First Class Thompson consistently manifested exemplary professionalism and initiative in obtaining outstanding results. His rapid assessment and solution of numerous problems inherent in a combat environment greatly enhanced the allied effectiveness against a determined and aggressive enemy. Despite many adversities, he invariably performed his duties in a resolute and efficient manner. Energetically applying his sound judgment and extensive knowledge, he has contributed materially to the successful accomplishment of the United States mission in the Republic of Vietnam. His loyalty, diligence and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Staff Sergeant

    Regiment:

    5th Special Forces Group (Airborne)

    Division:

    1st Special Forces

    Action Date:

    February 18, 1968 – February 24, 1968
    Headquaters, United States Army, Vietnam, General Orders No. 1907 (April 25, 1968)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918 (amended by an act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Sergeant First Class Dennis Leroy Thompson (ASN: RA-19645698), United States Army, for gallantry in action while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam. Staff Sergeant Thompson distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 6 and 7 February 1968, while serving with Detachment A-101, Company C, 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne), 1st Special Forces, at the Lang Vei Special Forces Camp. North Vietnamese Army forces directed a devastating tank and infantry assault on the camp late in the evening of 6 February and overran portions of its perimeter. Staff Sergeant Thompson directed a furious mortar barrage on the determined attackers until the enemy advance rendered his weapon ineffective. Completely disregarding his personal safety, he joined a quickly formed tank killer team. He secured several portable anti-tank weapons and moved through a hail of machine gun and cannon fire to engage the enemy armor. He closed to point blank range and destroyed one tank with deadly fire before running out of ammunition. The numerically superior enemy concentrated savage fire on him, and he withdrew to a pre-planned defensive position to continue his fearless fight. Staff Sergeant Thompson’s gallantry in action was in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.

  • Bronze Star Medal

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Sergeant First Class

    Regiment:

    5th Special Forces Group (Airborne)

    Division:

    1st Special Forces

    Action Date:

    Vietnam War

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Executive Order 11046, 24 August 1962, takes pleasure in presenting the Bronze Star Medal with Combat “V” to Sergeant First Class Dennis Leroy Thompson (ASN: RA-19645698), United States Army, for meritorious achievement in action against an armed enemy of the United States while serving with Detachment A-101, Company C, 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne), 1st Special Forces, in action in South Vietnam in 1967 and 1968. His loyalty, diligence and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.

  • Bronze Star Medal

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Sergeant First Class

    Division:

    Prisoner of War (South Vietnam)

    Action Date:

    February 7, 1968 – March 5, 1972

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Executive Order 11046, 24 August 1962, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Bronze Star Medal to Sergeant First Class Dennis Leroy Thompson (ASN: RA-19645698), United States Army, for exceptionally meritorious service to the United States of America while detained as a Prisoner of War in Southeast Asia during the period 7 February 1968 to 5 March 1973. His ceaseless efforts, by a continuous showing of resistance to an enemy who ignored all international agreements on treatment of prisoners of war, in the extremely adverse conditions of the communist prisons of Southeast Asia, demonstrated his professional competence, unwavering devotion and loyalty to his country. Despite the harsh treatment through his long years of incarceration, this American continued to perform his duties in a clearly exceptional manner which reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Army.

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Sergeant First Class

    Division:

    Prisoner of War (South Vietnam)

    Action Date:

    February 18 – 24, 1968
    Department of the Army, General Orders No. 56 (December 31, 1974)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 8, 1918 (amended by act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star to Sergeant First Class Dennis Leroy Thompson, United States Army, for gallantry and intrepidity in action in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force as an escaped Prisoner of War in the Republic of Vietnam for the period 18 February 1968 through 24 February 1968. During this period, Sergeant Thompson displayed extreme gallantry in action while assisting a deaf and wounded fellow soldier to evade the enemy. Twice exposing himself to heavy close range automatic weapons fire, Sergeant Thompson carried his wounded comrade to safety, each time with extraordinary risk to his own life. Finally when an enemy patrol was closing in to recapture the pair, Sergeant Thompson, though he could have escaped the snare on his own, risked immediate death and elected to remain with the wounded soldier to ensure his safety. Sergeant First Class Thompson’s extraordinary heroism in the face of the enemy reflects the highest credit upon himself and the United States Army.

  • Prisoner of War Medal

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Sergeant First Class

    Division:

    Prisoner of War (South Vietnam)

    Action Date:

    February 7, 1968 – March 5, 1973

    Sergeant First Class Dennis Leroy Thompson (ASN: RA-19645698), United States Army, was held as a Prisoner of War in Southeast Asia from February 7, 1968 until his release on March 5, 1973.