THE WALL OF FACES

He loved us so.

Every day, in a hundred waysm, he told us so.

In honesty, in affection, he told us so.

He loved us so.

Every day, in a hundred ways, he showed us so.

With loyalty and bravery, he showed us so.

He was our defender, and he kept us free!

He took an oath top guard us, and fought for liberty!

He loved us so, and we should know.

For we loved him so.

Lieutenant Thompson, you had given all that mortality can give! You sailed into harm's way to defend liberty everywhere! You had been there and done that, flying F8U Crusader fighters in the Gulf of Tonkin and over North Vietnam to enhance the cause of freedom! You were one brave man who did brave deeds for our America! You were one of Pittsburgh's...and America's...bravest of knights, who fought for the right, without question or pause! Your name and fame are the birthright of EVERY American citizen! In your youth and strength...your love and loyalty...you gave all so that freedom and justice may live! You had brought honor to Pittsburgh, the home of heroes BRAVE AND TRUE!...yes, to the city where three rivers meet...to the home of the BUCS and the STEELERS! You had lived up to the code of conduct and chivalry of those who guard this beloved land!...an ideal SO NOBLE that uit arouses in all of us a sense of pride, and yet, of humility! I strongly believe that Jill Corey, whom Avonmore (her home town) and Pittsburgh (where she got her start) can claim as one of their own, and whom I greatly admire as one of my three top favorite songbirds of all time, which includes Julie Andrews, England's grande dame opf music, and another thrush from England, Dusty Springfield, who passed on some years ago, would be very proud of your service to America, and the sacrifices made by you to kweep out country free! You are still our hero, Lieutenant! Well done, Sir! Be thou at peace. SAIL ON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Lt Thompson was the pilot of an F-8J Crusader that disappeared over the Gulf of Tonkin on the night of August 12, 1972. On this night he was the wingman to his squadron's Commanding Officer and at some point during the flight Lt Thompson lost his radio. F-8's flew very little at night because their accident rate was so high due to the difficulty of landing on the smaller Essex-class aircraft carriers that deployed them.




So in accordance with procedures, the CO led Lt Thompson down on his wing to a rendezvous point about 20 miles behind their carrier, the USS Hancock, to prepare for a landing. At about 12 miles and 2000 ft, they were separated by the Hancock's controller for individual final approaches. Shortly after they separated on this very dark and overcast night, Lt Thompson configured his plane for landing with wheels down and his F-8's variable-incidence wing up. The CO went ahead and landed, but at about 8 miles behind the carrier, Lt Thompson's F-8 disappeared from the ship's radar scope. No further contact was established and a search and rescue was conducted.




After the search, all they found was a piece of his plane's nose cone which indicated Lt Thompson hit the water slightly nose down with the wings level. It is unlikely on this flight that he encountered any enemy fire and since his radio was out, it is unknown if there was any other electronical failures in the aircraft.




It was eventually surmised that Lt Thompson became somehow distracted or disoriented in the pitch black darkness and gradually flew into the water at about 140 knots. To this day, his plane and remains have never been found and he is officially listed as MIA - KIA - Body Not Recovered.




I came across Lt Thompson's name when I was reading about F-8 Crusaders and I became intrigued by his story, so I decided to do some research to find out more about what happened to him. The best information I found was from an official casualty report that's been declassified and two pilot's from his squadron, VF-24, that I was able to get in contact with. I wanted to share this information that I discovered as a remembrance to him here.




I included a photo of Lt Thompson that was taken of him when he was a Midshipman. He was a Naval Academy graduate from the class of 1968.




Finally, I just want to say Happy Birthday sir, I'm very grateful for your service. Your courage and bravery in protecting my freedoms is not forgotten. I know your spirit lives on and that you're in a better place, thank you!

On Silver Wings
They Flew The Skies
These Brave Young Men
Who Fought And Died
When Duty Called
They Went So Brave
Now Families Mourn
Beside Their Grave
Who Can Forget
What Courage They Had
Some Have,Some Did
And That's So Sad

Do not stand at my grave and weep.
I am not there; I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow,
I am the diamond glints on snow,
I am the sun on ripened grain,
I am the gentle autumn rain.
When you awaken in the morning's hush
I am the swift uplifting rush
Of quiet birds in circled flight.
I am the soft stars that shine at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry,
I am not there; I did not die.

Mary Frye – 1932

I WAS ON BOARD USS HANCOCK THAT DAY WHEN LT. THOMPSON'S PLANE CRASHED. REMEMBER THE CAPTAIN'S ANNOUNCEMENT AND THE SILENCE THAT FELL AMOUNG THE CREW.