Sarah P
Vtbama@yahoo.com
Alabama BENJAMIN ARTHUR THOMPSON SSGT - E6 - Army - Regular 9th Infantry Division 23 year old Married, Caucasian, Male Born on Jul 24, 1945 From SARALAND, ALABAMA Length of service 4 years. His tour of duty began on Oct 25, 1968 Casualty was on Oct 25, 1968 in KIEN HOA, SOUTH VIETNAM NON-HOSTILE, GROUND CASUALTY DROWNED, SUFFOCATED Body was not recovered Religion BAPTIST Panel 40W - - Line 35 REMARKS Loss Coordinates: 100835N 1062619E (XS576215) Status (in 1973): Killed/Body Not Recovered Category: 4 Aircraft/Vehicle/Ground: Ground Other Personnel in Incident: (none missing) Source: Compiled by Homecoming II Project 01 September 1990 from one or more of the following: raw data from U.S. Government agency sources, correspondence with POW/MIA families, published sources, interviews. REMARKS: SYNOPSIS: SSGT Benjamin A. Thompson, Jr. was assigned to Company D, 3rd Battalion, 47th Infantry, 9th Infantry Division. On October 25, 1968, he was serving in a rifle company in Kien Hoa Province about 5 miles south of Thuc Giang in South Vietnam. Thompson's unit was crossing a stream, and Thompson lost his balance and was caught up by the current. Rescue attempts were made immediately but were unsuccessful. Searches were made downstream on the day of the loss, but Thompson could not be located. On the next two days, aerial searches were made by helicopter, but Thompson was never found. SSGT Thompson is listed among the missing because his body was never found to return to his homeland. For his family, there can be the relative peace of mind that he died. For others of the missing, however, answers are not so simple. (Ben, I don't know who wrote that, but there has never be the "relative peace of mind that you died" from any of us. your family.) For other who are missing the evidence leads not to death, but to survival. Since the war ended, nearly 10,000 reports received relating to Americans still held captive in Indochina have convinced experts that hundreds of men are still alive, waiting for their country to rescue them. The notion that Americans are dying without hope in the hands of a long-ago enemy belies the idea that we left Vietnam with honor. It also signals that tens of thousands of lost lives were a frivolous waste of our best men.
Wednesday, March 03, 2004 |
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Marie Plant-Bentley
rees672000@yahoo.com
I am his niece
45 Gator Dr
Greenville, AL36037 USA
Uncle Ben, I am your niece, I am Tommy and Peggy's daughter. I was only one when you disappeared, but your legacy has lived on through the stories that my daddy has told me about you being his very best friend. My mother is your oldest sister. My daughter has seen your name on The Wall and is very proud to have a great-uncle who died so unselfishly. God bless you, till we meet in heaven.Marie
Thursday, March 28, 2002 |
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Sarah Pendris
Vtbama@yahoo.com
Sister
October 25, 1968 - October 25, 2003
Ben, just a line to let you know that we are thinking about you today. From Texas to Alabama and up here in New Hampshire, we love you and miss you. Ben, I will always remember you and the things you stand for! You are the best big brother any girl could have. just ask any of your seven sisters! Love, Peggy, Shirley, Betty, Mary, Priscilla, Sarah and Linda.Of couse, David, Daniel and Ronnie, too!
Thursday, October 25, 2003 |
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Christy Barton
bartonc@ocisd.net
I wear his POW/MIA bracelet
501 E. Main St
Ore City, Tx 75683 USA
You've been with me for 12 years!
Being a prior Marine I know the sacrifice that servicememebers make everyday. Ben made the greatest sacrifice by serving our country in Vietnam. I'm honored to wear his name everyday on my wrist. I've been blessed to get to know his sister for the past couple of years so this bracelet is now priceless. I'm looking forward to meeting Ben in Heaven. I feel safe knowing that a hero like Benjamin Thompson is guarding the Streets of Gold. Wearing your name with Pride, Christy Barton (fomer USMC - Sgt) 10/24/2004
Friday, October 24, 2003 |
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Danny & Wendy Spradling
china@semo.net
Fellow Viet Vet
To Never Be Forgotten.
SSgt. Thompson.My husband, Danny, is a Viet Vet. Today is his birthday. Please know you are remembered each and every day in our home, and today - the anniversary of Danny's birth and the anniversary of your death, you and your family are held close to our hearts. Never to be forgotten, my friend.
Saturday, October 25, 2003 |
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Sarah P
Vtbama@yahoo.com
Sister
* * * * * Happy Birthday Ben * * * * *
July 24, 2002 To Our Ben: A Birthday Poem just for you Eternal Echoes Our life is an echo of our spirit today. Of our essence As it is, Caught between Our yesterday And our Tomorrow. It is the resounding Reality of who we are, As a result of Where we have been, and Where we will be, for eternity. By Matthew J.T. Stepanek - Heartsongs 2000 (Mattie our peacemaker) Meet me by the river! I love you Ben! Happy Birthday Sweetheart! Always, Sarah While we live, we live to please the Lord. And when we die, we go to be with the Lord. So in life and in death, we belong to the Lord. Romans 14:8
Wednesday, July 24, 2002 |
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Grateful American
American Hero
Thank you SSGT Thompson for your service to country and ultimate sacrifice. Rest well brave soldier and rest assured that you Sir, are not forgotten.
Friday, October 21, 2005 |
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Sarah P
~~~~~~~~Sister~~~~~~~~
Concord, NH03301 USA
~~October 25, 1968 - October 25, 2005~~ MIA Year 37
37 years is too long for anyone, especially for Ben to not be reunited with family and loved ones. Whoever reads this message please say a prayer for SSGT Ben Thompson and for all of our sons, daughters, fathers, mothers, sisters and brothers serving this great nation to be returned safe and sound. God Bless America! Peace be with you!
Tuesday, October 25, 2005 |
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