Service Record: Richard W. Thompson

This document contains a combination of letters home and historical information. In order to see what Richard was actually experiencing, the letters had to be put into the context of wartime activities, because his letters home were always upbeat and gave no information about his battle experiences.

We were blessed to have a treasure of letters, saved by Rachel, who married him following the war, Adam Thompson, his father, Mary Thompson Powers, his sister, and Mary Phillips, his grandmother.

This is a compilation of documents written by others. Please refer to "Acknowledgements" for appropriate credit to the authors. This was developed for family and friends, to put the man and his wartime experiences into context. It is intended only for family use and was not developed for distribution to the general public.

"First and foremost he was a farmer and a family man a good farmer proud of his profession and of his children and grandchildren." Rachel Thompson Gast

"I haven't been classified yet. They ought to be telling us pretty soon. I am getting so that I don't care much where they put me."

"I have met, lived with, and gone to school with as many kinds of boys you can imagine. There are all kinds, the windy and the quiet, the lazy and the energetic, the brains and those who just get along, and I think that I can judge a person a lot better now than I could before."

"Due to circumstances beyond my control I probably won't be able to write very regularly in the future."

"I'm very safe, and I'm taking good care of myself. Keep well everyone. If you're well I haven't a worry in the world."

"What soldier will ever forget his first day in combat?"

"So here's to the men of the Infantry, the muddy, bloody Infantry. The rough and ready, the tough and steady, the men who win the war."

"Keep well everyone and this time I can truthfully say that I'll be seeing you soon!!!"

"In looking back at the evolution of life that I have witnessed I want to point out a few things. The ever larger machines - and all the various labor saving devices that have appeared and will continue to - have been a mixed blessing. They have probably eliminated some so-called drudgery, but I remember as a child the whole family getting in the car and spending Saturday afternoon in Logansport. Sundays were for church and family dinners with relatives or friends. Field work on Sunday? Not in our neighborhood. Close neighbors helped each other with the hard jobs that needed many hands, and were always there in time of need. We have lost many of these treasures in my remembrance."

Dettagli