Ambrose J. Thompson

Ambrose J. Thompson, “Wa han Chanka Hoksina” (Shield Boy) 85 journeyed into the Spirit World on September 8, 2008, surrounded by his loving family. Ambrose died at his home in St. Michael. A Wake will begin at 5:00 p.m. with a Rosary and Prayer Service at 7:30 p.m. on Sunday, September 14, 2008 at the St. Michael’s Recreation Center. Mass of Christian Burial for Ambrose will be held on Monday, September 15, 2008 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Michael’s Catholic Church. Fr. Brian Moen and Fr. Charles Leute O.P. will concelebrate the Mass and burial will be in the St. Michael’s Catholic Cemetery. Military Honors will be accorded by VFW Post #6547. The Procession to St. Michael’s Recreation Center will leave the Wal-Mart Parking lot at 4:00 p.m. on Sunday. Active Pallbearers will be Frank Young, Donnie Belgarde Sr., James Little, Glen Wallace, Cletus Lawrence, Marshall Sandy, Jesse Cavanaugh, Robert Hapa, Ronald McKay Sr. and Raymond Thompson. Honorary Pallbearers are Veterans of the Spirit Lake Nation and Sun Dancers, Nancy Greywater, Ann Wadsworth-White, Tiffany Foss, Louella Thompson, Mercy Hospital Hospice Staff, Sam Merrick, C.H.R., Judith Olson, Shirley Thompson, Father Chuck Lute, Joseph Lawrence Sr., Brooks and Cheryl Good Iron, Myra Pearson, Anthony Thompson, Rick Laundreaus, Vincent Greyhorn, Kenneth Olson, Duane Guy, Lovella Thompson, Peter Belgarde Jr., Michael Thompson Jr., Jesse McKay III, Andrew Shaw, William Littleghost, Herman Cavanaugh, Floyd Joshua, Pierre Culbertson, Frank Myrick, Solomon Sherman, Joseph Brown Sr., Robert Olson and Raymond Cavanaugh. Music will be provided by Tony and Vina McDonald, Frank Hapa and all other singers and drum groups are welcome to sing. Ambrose J. the son of John and Gertrude (Iteapapi) Thompson was born on March 13, 1923 at St. Michael, ND where he was raised and educated. He was united in marriage to Mary Louise Brown on December 11, 1953 in St. Michael Catholic Church. They established their home in the St. Michael area where they together lived, worked and drove bus for the Little Flower School on the Spirit Lake Reservation. He also worked at the Culvert Plant for 32 years before his retirement. On November 6, 1943 Ambrose was inducted into the U.S. Army for service in World War II. On November 29, 1943 he reported in at Fr. Snelling, MN and after completing his basic training was sent to Infantry School and was assigned to Guard Patrolman. On August 18, 1944 Pvt. Thompson was aboard a troop ship and was sent to the South Pacific for service in Pacific Theater of Operations. He served as a Guard Patrolman on New Caledonia and Espirito Santos Islands. Leaving the South Pacific on January 14, 1945 Thompson was assigned to U.S. Disciplinary Barracks where he served out his enlistment. On May 16, 1946 PFC Thompson was Honorably Discharged and returned home to the Spirit Lake Nation. On April 12, 1948 Ambrose re-enlisted in the U.S. Army and was assigned as an Infantryman. With the outbreak of the Korean War June 1950, Corporal Thompson was assigned to Co “L”, 30th Infantry Regt at Ft. Benning, GA. August 1950, Cpl Thompson was reassigned to the 24th Infantry Division. Thompson arrived in Japan August 17th and assigned to Company B, 1st Battalion, 21st Infantry Regiment, 24th Division. The 24th Infantry Division’s combat units were currently fighting the North Korean; Cpl Thompson arrived with a replacement company late August 1950 where he served in some of the hardest fighting of the Korean War until his 12 month tour of duty was complete. He earned 5 Service (Battles) Stars on his Korean Service Medal. On July 14, 1951 Sgt First Class Thompson, Platoon Leader along with his platoon were attempting to overtake a heavily enemy fortified hill. While moving up the hill they were pinned down by enemy machine gunfire, allowing the enemy to forward their position. Without orders, SFC Thompson fixed his bayonet on his rifle and jumped from their pinned position and yelled for his men to follow. Without waiting for his platoon, Thompson began single handedly taking out the advancing enemy. After taking out the machine gun nest his platoon then followed and supported him on his assault against the enemy. SFC Thompson’s actions exposed him to heavy enemy fire. Locating and destroying the enemy led them to complete the objective in taking the fortified hill and prevented his platoon from being wiped out. For his actions he was recommended for the Silver Star. After Master Sergeant Thompson’s tour of duty was complete he departed back to the United States in August of 1951. On April 11, 1952, Master Sergeant Ambrose Thompson was Honorably Discharged. He earned the following medals for both his WW II and Korean War Service. Silver Star Good Conduct Medal American Campaign Medal Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal World War II Victory Medal World War II Occupation Service Medal National Defense Service Medal Korean Service Medal w/1 silver service star (lieu 5 service bronze stars) United Nations Korean Service Medal Rep. of Korea; Korean War Service Medal Combat Infantry Badge Sharpshooter Badge-Rifle Presidential Unit Citation, Defense of Korea 1950 Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation In late October of 1952 Ambrose received a certified letter in the mail conferring he earned the Silver Star for his valor on July 14, 1951. The Silver Star was also enclosed.. It wasn’t until August 2007, Honorable Senator Byron Dorgan presented Master Sergeant Ambrose Thompson the Silver Star and officially pinned the award on him and thanked him for his heroic actions 56 years ago. Ambrose is a World War II and Korean War veteran who won the Silver Star, the nation’s third highest military valor medal. It is awarded for exceptional gallantry in the face of the enemy. Ambrose received numerous medals for his World War II service but during his Korean War service he earned the Silver Star on July 14, 1951 by leading the charge up a hill in Chupra-ri, Korea, a hill two other platoons had tried but failed to take. It took over 50 years for him to formally receive this medal. Along with his nephew Arthur Thompson, Ambrose loved to race, break horses and chariot racing. He was famous for his Chariots team name “Always Able. His favorite time was spent with his friends, family and especially his grandchildren and great grandchildren. He along with his “old lady” enjoyed adventuring out and playing bingo. Ambrose is survived by his son Calvin (Tina) Thompson, daughters, Cindy Thompson, Sherry (Jesse) Thompson, Marilyn (Sam) Thompson, Paula (Des) Wacanta, Sheila Thompson, Zeda (Claude) McKay; step-daughter Donna (Duane) Youngman Thompson; adopted sons, Alfred Thompson, Everett White and Robert Hapa. Brothers, James (Melinda) Thompson Sr. and Aloysius Cloud; special grandchildren, Angel, Everett and Jerome Thompson, Russell Littleghost, Jr., Lilly Shaw and Flossy Shaw. Many grandchildren and great grandchildren also survived. Ambrose was preceded in death by his parents, John and Gertrude; wife, Mary Louise on March 5, 2008; sons, Kenny and Robert Thompson; daughters, Linda and Doris Thompson; grand daughters, Jenny Thompson and Mary and Michelle Littlewind and Lanessa Dawn McKay; grandson, Linus Thompson; brothers, Michael Sr., Francis and Moses Thompson; sisters, Agatha and Mary Thompson.