World War II Honoree

Richard Girard Thomson

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Storm Lake, Iowa

Honored By

Pearl Thomas

In April 1943 he volunteered and entered the U.S. Army. He became part of the 17th Airborne mission, Rifleman in Combat Infantry, and a Paratrooper in the 193rd Glider Infantry. He was part of the Battle of the Bulge campaign in Rhineland, Ardennes, Central Europe that was one of the toughest of the war, with the 17th Airborne carrying the most casualties. He suffered shrapnel injuries, and later while flying into enemy fire in Germany, his glider was shot down. He was awarded 3 Bronze Stars and 2 Purple Hearts.