Max Thompson-Candler, NC
Posted by: 
Don.Morfe
N 35° 32.634 W 082° 39.774
17S E 349261 N 3934634
World War II Medal of Honor Recipient for action near Haaren, Germany on October 18, 1944. He is buried in Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Candler, NC in Section 9, Lot 68.
Waymark Code: WMXA3T
Location: North Carolina, United States
Date Posted: 12/15/2017
Views: 1
He was born on July 21, 1922 in Bethel, NC and died on November 30, 1996. His Medal of Honor information and citation is: 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.
• 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 machinegun 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.
Armed Service: Army
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