Thomas L. Thompson was born on January 11, 1922, in Dunkirk, Chautauqua County, New York. He was the son of Lawrence Thompson and Mary A. Jacuszewski Thompson. He was married to Patricia Ann Palmer Thompson. He served in the 600th Bomber Squadron, 398th Bomb Group, Heavy, as a First Lieutenant and Pilot of B-17 #42-102498 nicknamed ''Tailend Charlie'' during World War II.

On May 30, 1944, the 'Tailend Charlie' was lost during a bombing mission over Dessau, Germany. The aircraft was on its seventh mission when it encountered enemy fighters. The aircraft was hit by flak, exploded, and crashed near Aken, approximately nine miles west of Dessau. Three crew members were killed in action, while the remaining six crew members survived and were taken as prisoners of war. The Flight Engineer sustained injuries during the incident.

1Lt Thompson was Killed in Action and is now buried in the Lorraine American Cemetery and Memorial, Saint-Avold, Departement de la Moselle, Lorraine, France. Thomas L. Thompson's name is inscribed on the Anstey Window Memorial in Panel 2 (center), on Butterfly 13, in the top left wing (section A).

Source of information: B-17flyingfortress.de, www.americanairmuseum.com, www.398th.org