Pvt. Harold L. Thompson
US Army 2nd Btn. G Coy. 141st Infantry Regiment
from:St. Louis, Missouri
Harold Thompson enlisted in the U.S. Army on 24th of November 1942 at the age of 20. He served in G Company, 2nd Battalion, 141st Infantry Regiment in the 36th Infantry Division. He had spent some time in North Africa for additional training before he would fight in Italy.
His baptism of fire occurred around 0330 on 9th of September 1943 on the beach at Salerno, Italy during Operation Avalanche. In the weeks that followed, Harold and the 141st Infantry Regiment fought up Highway 6 to Monte Cassino. By January 1944, the 36th Infantry Division was at the vicinity of San Angelo. Harold was fighting in a battle known as the Battle of Rapido River at the time of his capture. This battle took place from 20th of January through 22nd of January 1944, when he was reported as missing in action. Harold was one of approximately 770 men captured at the Rapido River. Harold would spend 503 days in captivity at Stalag IV-B.
