Emmett Thompson

Emmett Thompson’s Personal Narrative was derived from information found in public records, military personnel files, and local/state historical association materials. Please note that the Robb Centre never fully closes the book on our servicemembers; as new information becomes available, narratives will be updated to appropriately represent the life story of each veteran.

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Military Honor(s):

Distinguished Service Cross

Citation: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Sergeant Emmett Thompson (ASN: 1403376), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Company L, 370th Infantry Regiment, 93d Division, A.E.F., at Mont-de-Sanges, France, 20 September 1918, to 1 October 1918. After others had failed, Sergeant Thompson, then a corporal, volunteered and took charge of a detail to secure rations. He succeeded in this mission under very dangerous and trying conditions, and, notwithstanding the fact that his detachment suffered numerous casualties, he remained on this duty, and continued to supply the company with rations until completely exhausted.

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Life & Service

  • Birth: 1881, La Belle, MO, United States
  • Place of Residence:
  • Race/Ethnicity: African American
  • Death: 15 September 1929 Quincy, IL, United States
  • Branch: Army
  • Military Rank: Sergeant
  • Company: [L]
  • Infantry Regiment: 370th
  • Division: 93rd
Personal Narrative
Early Life (Pre-War): Includes general parent information, sibling information, education Toggle Accordion

Emmett Thompson was born in La Belle, Lewis County, Missouri in 1881 to Lucy Belle Rone (1855-1937) and Isaac Thompson (1845-?), the elder of two children; Virgia (1882-1912). Little is known of Thompson’s early life, including his full birth date, location of birth, and remaining tenure in La Belle or Lewis County, Missouri. By 1900, the family is located in Quincy, Illinois (626 Chestnut St.), where Thompson, his sister, and parents worked as general laborers and laundresses. In the 1910s, Thompson worked as a teamster.

Service: Includes a summary of transfers, rank change(s), training, enlistment, and discharge locations Toggle Accordion

Thompson enlisted on 2 July 1916, he was appointed Private First Class on 29 July, and mustered out on 27 October for service with the Illinois National Guard on the Mexican Border. Thompson was re-enlisted and assigned to Co. L, 370th Infantry Regiment, 93rd Division; then-Corporal, he and Co. L left Newport News, Virginia aboard the U.S. Army Transport Ship President Grant on 7 April 1918. Thompson received the Distinguished Service Cross for his actions at Mont-de-Sanges, France on 20 September 1918;

“The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Sergeant Emmett Thompson (ASN: 1403376), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Company L, 370th Infantry Regiment, 93d Division, A.E.F., at Mont-de-Sanges, France, 20 September 1918, to 1 October 1918. After others had failed, Sergeant Thompson, then a corporal, volunteered and took charge of a detail to secure rations. He succeeded in this mission under very dangerous and trying conditions, and, notwithstanding the fact that his detachment suffered numerous casualties, he remained on this duty, and continued to supply the company with rations until completely exhausted.”

Then-Sergeant Thompson and Co. L left Brest, France for Camp Upton, New York on 2 February 1919, arriving on 9 February. Thompson was Honorably Discharged on 24 February.

Later Life (Post-War): Includes post-war education, occupation, marriage(s) and/or children, location and date of death Toggle Accordion

Little is known of the remainder of Thompson’s life; he died on 15 September 1929, presumably the result of longstanding health issues, “He was gassed and death resulted from complications”. Thompson is buried at Sunset Cemetery at the Quincy, Illinois Soldiers and Sailors Home- there is no record of any residency at the Soldiers and Sailors Home itself. He was unmarried and had no children.