Hugh Thompson Jr US Army soldier, Vietnam War veteran Date of Birth: 15.05.1943 Country: USA

1. Biography of Hugh Thompson Jr.
2. Service in Vietnam
3. The Tragedy in Son My (My Lai)
4. Later Life and Recognition
5. Death and Legacy

Biography of Hugh Thompson Jr.

Hugh Thompson Jr. was born in Atlanta, Georgia. He served in the United States Navy from 1961 and later joined the United States Army in 1966.

Service in Vietnam

Thompson served as a reconnaissance helicopter pilot in Vietnam from December 1967, flying OH-23 helicopters as part of Company B, 123rd Aviation Battalion, 23rd Infantry Division.

The Tragedy in Son My (My Lai)

On March 16, 1968, Thompson's helicopter, with crew members Glenn Andreotta and Lawrence Colburn, was involved in an operation in the village of Son My, which escalated into the massacre of the village's population. Initially, upon seeing wounded civilians, Thompson called for a medical evacuation helicopter. However, he later witnessed the soldiers killing the injured civilians. Thompson then noticed a group of Vietnamese villagers hiding in one of the huts, with American soldiers approaching them. Thompson lifted his helicopter into the air and ordered Colburn to fire warning shots over the heads of the American soldiers. Under the cover of machine gun fire, Thompson, as a warrant officer, demanded that Lieutenant William Calley, the commanding officer of the unit, not shoot at the innocent civilians. He also organized the evacuation of the villagers to a hospital using two other helicopters. In total, Thompson's efforts saved the lives of 12 people. As a result of his actions in Son My, Thompson was awarded the Soldiers Medal, the highest military award for heroism in non-combat situations.

Later Life and Recognition

Thompson continued to serve in Vietnam and was shot down four times, resulting in a spinal fracture which ultimately ended his service. He remained in the Army until 1983. In 1998, along with Andreotta and Colburn, Thompson was posthumously awarded the Soldier's Medal for their heroism in non-combat situations (Andreotta was awarded posthumously as he died in Vietnam on April 8, 1968). In the same year, Thompson visited the village of Son My, where he met with several Vietnamese individuals whom he had rescued.

Death and Legacy

Thompson passed away from cancer in Alexandria, Louisiana. He was buried with full military honors at a cemetery in Lafayette.