Medal of Honor: William Thompson – World War II, August 6, 1950

Name: William Thompson

Rank: Private First Class
Conflict: Korean War
Unit: Company M, 24th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division
Date of Action: August 6, 1950
Location: Near Haman, Korea

Summary of Action:

In the early days of the Korean War, as the U.S. desperately held the fragile Pusan Perimeter, Private First Class William Thompson stood against the tide.

Born in New York City and raised in the Bronx, Thompson served in the all-Black 24th Infantry Regiment, a segregated unit still confronting racial discrimination even as it faced an aggressive North Korean assault. On the night of August 6, 1950, near the town of Haman, PFC Thompson’s platoon was caught in a sudden and overwhelming enemy attack under cover of darkness.

Rather than retreat, Thompson manned his machine gun alone in the path of the assault. His weapon roared to life, delivering devastating, accurate fire that stalled the enemy long enough for the rest of his platoon to withdraw to a safer position. Even as enemy grenades and rifle fire tore into him, Thompson refused to leave his post—repeatedly waving off offers of help and continuing to fire.

He remained at his gun until an enemy grenade finally struck him down.

Thompson’s sacrifice was more than tactical—it was symbolic. In a military still divided by race, his courage shattered every barrier, showing what true heroism looks like in the face of mortal danger.

He was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor—the first Black American to receive it in the Korean War.

Medal of Honor Citation:

Private First Class William Thompson, distinguished himself by conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty in action against the enemy.

While his platoon was reorganizing under cover of darkness, fanatical enemy forces in overwhelming strength launched a surprise attack on the unit. PFC Thompson set up his machine gun in the path of the onslaught and swept the enemy with withering fire, pinning them down momentarily, thus permitting the remainder of his platoon to withdraw to a more tenable position.

Although hit repeatedly by grenade fragments and small-arms fire, he resisted all efforts of his comrades to induce him to withdraw, steadfastly remained at his machine gun and continued to deliver deadly, accurate fire until mortally wounded by an enemy grenade.

PFC Thompson’s dauntless courage and gallant self-sacrifice reflect the highest credit on himself and uphold the esteemed traditions of military service.