Carl H. Thompson

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star Medal to Carl H. Thompson (15055605), Private First Class, U.S. Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company L, 39th Infantry Regiment, 9th Infantry Division. On 12 August 1943, in the vicinity of Randazzo, Sicily, with his company under heavy enemy artillery and small arms fire, causing temporary dispersion of the men, Private First Class Thompson remained at his machine gun and returned fire on the enemy positions. Although his position was in a precarious, exposed location on the lower slope of the hill, Private First Class Thompson refused to leave his weapons and was able to silence an enemy machine gun and snipers, thus permitting the advance of the foot troops position and preventing a possible counter-attack by the enemy on the left flank of the position. The personal courage and bravery of Private First Class Thompson and his steadfast devotion to duty and comrades are highly commendable.