During World War II, the 7th Armored Division trained at Camp Polk, Louisiana and was formed out of the reorganization of the 3rd and 5th armored divisions in September of 1943. The 7th Armored Division later trained at Camp Coxcomb in California. They shipped out to England and arrived in June of 1944. They landed on Omaha and Utah Beaches in August of 1944 and served with General George S. Patton’s 3rd Army.

The 7th Armored Division fought in France at Chartres, liberated Dreux and Melun and then mobilized on to the Seine River. They liberated Chateu-Thierry and Verdun by the end of August of 1944. They made several attempts to crosse the Moselle and Seille Rivers but were not successful.

By the end of September, the 7th Armored Division was transferred to the U.S. 9th Army to support Operation Market Garden. They fought in and liberated Overloon in the Netherlands. They held defensive positions in Nederweert, Meijel and Liesel in late October of 1944, eventually stopping the German attacks.

In early November, they moved on to Maaastricht for training and reorganizing in the Netherlands and Germany. By December of 1944, they joined the Ardennes offensive in what would be called The Battle of the Bulge. They transferred to the U.S. 1st Army and fought in St. Vith, Belgium and later at Manhay, Belgium and finally liberated St. Vith by the end of January of 1945.

In February of 1945, they fought in the Huertgen Forest. In March of 1945, the 7th Armored fought along the Rur river to the Rhine River and the Ruhr Pocket. By April, the 7th Armored division was transferred to the British Second Army and moved north to the Baltic Sea and connected with the Russian Red Army. After Victory in Europe on May 8, 1945 the division served as occupation forces in Dessau, Germany. The division returned to New York and was inactivated on 11 October 1945.

Private First Class Alvin Wilson Thompson may have originally trained with the 3rd Armored division but at some point, he was transferred to the 7th armored division. PFC Thomspon served with Company B of the 38th Armored Infantry Battalion of the 7th Armored Division of the U.S. Army.

Alvin Wilson Thompson was born on June 25, 1918 in Lamont, Lafayette County, Wisconsin to Melvin and Matilda (Everson) Thompson.

On the 1920 U.S. Census, the Thompson family lived in Lamont Township, La Fayette County. The household included father Melvin L., mother Matilda, and children Esther, Cora, Curtis, Mervin, and Alvin. All were born in Wisconsin. Father Melvin’s father was born in Norway and mother born in Wisconsin. Both of mother Matilda’s parents were both born in Norway. They owned their own home and father Melvin was a farmer on his own account.

On the 1930 U.S. Census, the family was in the same home. The household included the parents, children Cora, Curtis, Mervin, Alvin, and Paul. Father Melvin was a farmer and son Curtis was a farm laborer.

On the 1940 U.S. Census, the family was living in the same place. The household included the parents and children Mervin, Alvin, Paul, and Matilda’s sister Ida Everson. Father Melvin was farming and children Mervin and Alvin were working also as farmers.

On October 16, 1940, Alvin Wilson Thompson registered for the WWII Draft. His next of kin was his father Melvin, who was also his employer. They lived at Route 2 Argyle in Lamont, in Lafayette County. They operated a farm share together.

On February 11, 1942, Alvin W. Thompson enlisted for service in WWII at Ft. Sheridan, Illinois. He had 4 years of high school and worked as a farm hand in general farming.

From the February 21, 1942 The Capital Times notice titled “Arrive at Camp Polk,” the information was that “The public relations office of the Headquarters Third Armored division, Camp Polk, La., reports the following arrivals in camp from southern Wisconsin.” The list included Pvt. Alvin W. Thompson.

In the June 1944 WWII Hospital Admission Records, Alvin W. Thompson died in a non-battle injury while in the line of duty. He had served 2 years and 4 months.

From the June 30, 1944 The Capital Times article “Argyle Soldier Dies in England,” the article stated “Mr. and Mrs. Melvin  Thompson, who live near Argyle, received word from the war department Sunday that their son, Pfc Alvin Thompson, 26, died June 11 in Tidworth England. There were no other details. Memorial services are being planned.

“Pfc. Thompson’s last letter to his parents was received late in May and was apparently written while he was still in the states.

“Pfc. Thompson entered the services in February, 1942, and received his basic training at Camp Polk, La., and Ft. Benning, Ga. He spent Christmas in Argyle with his parents after completing a special course in the wheeled vehicle department at Ft. Knox, Ky. He was transferred in May, receiving a New York APO number. A graduate of Argyle high school, he worked in his father’s farm before induction...”

From the December 8, 1948 The Capital Times article titled “Bodies of 2 Madison, 7 Area Men Are Returned,” the news was that “Bodies of two Madison men who lost their lives during World War II and bodies of seven men from communities near Madison have been returned to the United States from Europe on the Lt. James E. Robinson, U. S. army transport the department of the army announced…” Included in this list was PFC Alvin Thompson.

From the January 13, 1949 Blanchardville Blade the funeral notice for Alvin Thompson stated “The casketed remains of Pfc. Alvin Thompson arrived in Monroe Friday, Jan. 7, 1949, at 12:55 p.m. accompanied by a military escort. Members of the Argyle American Legion Post met the remains and accompanied the funeral cortege to Argyle.

“Pfc. Alvin Thompson died in the service of his country, June 17, 1944, Tidworth, Wiltshire, England…

“He entered the army in February, 1942, and received training Camp Polk, La. Camp Young, Calif. Fort Benning, Ga. and Fort Knox, Ky. In the spring of 1944, he was sent overseas where he met his death accidentally a few months later.

“He is survived by his parents, two sisters, Mrs. Orville Lancaster of Darlington, Mrs. Orville Kammerud of Argyle, three brothers, Curtis of Darlington, Mervin of Darlington, Paul of Argyle, four nephews and four nieces.”

PFC Thompson was repatriated and reburied in Yellowstone Lutheran Church Cemetery in Argyle, Lafayette County.

PFC Thompson was listed on the National WWII Memorial Registry for Lafayette County, Wisconsin. His death status was DNB — died non-battle. He was awarded the American Campaign Medal and the World War II Victory Medal, awarded posthumously.

Thank you, Private First Class Alvin Wilson Thompson, for your service to and sacrifice for this country. We honor you and remember you.