From Medal of Honor Citations for World War II:
THOMPSON, MAX
Rank and organization: Sergeant, U.S. Army, Company
K, 18th Infantry, 1st Infantry Division. Place and date: Near Haaren, Germany,
18 October 1944. Entered service at: Prescott, Ariz. Birth: Bethel, N.C. G.O.
No.: 47, 18 June 1945. Citation: On 18 October 1944, Company K, 18th Infantry,
occupying a position on a hill near Haaren, Germany, was attacked by an enemy
infantry battalion supported by tanks. The assault was preceded by an artillery
concentration, lasting an hour, which inflicted heavy casualties on the company.
While engaged in moving wounded men to cover, Sgt. Thompson observed that the
enemy had overrun the positions of the 3d Platoon. He immediately attempted to
stem the enemy's advance single-handedly. He manned an abandoned machine gun and
fired on the enemy until a direct hit from a hostile tank destroyed the gun.
Shaken and dazed, Sgt. Thompson picked up an automatic rifle and although alone
against the enemy force which was pouring into the gap in our lines, he fired
burst after burst, halting the leading elements of the attack and dispersing
those following. Throwing aside his automatic rifle, which had jammed, he took
up a rocket gun, fired on a light tank, setting it on fire. By evening the enemy
had been driven from the greater part of the captured position but still held 3
pillboxes. Sgt. Thompson's squad was assigned the task of dislodging the enemy
from these emplacements. Darkness having fallen and finding that fire of his
squad was ineffective from a distance, Sgt. Thompson crawled forward alone to
within 20 yards of 1 of the pillboxes and fired grenades into it. The Germans
holding the emplacement concentrated their fire upon him. Though wounded, he
held his position fearlessly, continued his grenade fire, and finally forced the
enemy to abandon the blockhouse. Sgt. Thompson's courageous leadership inspired
his men and materially contributed to the clearing of the enemy from his last
remaining hold on this important hill position.
Max Thompson survived the war and passed away at age 74 of November 30, 1996. He rests in Forest Lawn Cemetery, Enka, NC.
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