Lieutenant Robert Charles Thompson

Robert Charles Thompson was born June 9, 1924in Bisbee AZ to Mr and Mrs JW Thompson. At an early age the family moved to Santa Fe where his father, a veteran of the First World War, was employed as a vocational instructor at the US Indian School. After graduation from Santa Fe HS he enrolled at NMAMC in the fall of 1942. In March of 1943 he joined the USAAF to train as a pilot and in January 1944 he earned his wings and was commissioned at Columbus AAF in MS. He was then assigned to training as a bomber pilot at Esler Field in Alexandria LA. On March 19, 1944, he was copilot aboard B-17F #42-30558 assigned to the 469th Combat Crew Training Squadron. Approximately five miles southwest of Alexandria, the plane crashed into the ground killing all aboard. He was buried at the Santa Fe National Cemetery. Lieutenant Robert Charles Thompson was 19 years of age.