Born in Bakersfield, California, April 3, 1920
Graduated from the Kern County High School, Bakersfield June 1937
Attended the Bakersfield Junior College, 1937-38
Enrolled in the University of California, Davis, August 1939 Plant Science Curriculum - Horticulture
Graduated in December 1941, Bachelor of Science in Agriculture

Military Service

MILITARY HISTORY
S (Al) U. S. Naval Reserve

Enlisted Service

Enlisted in the United States Naval Reserve, 3 April 1941.
29 April 1942; enlisted service terminated to accept appointment as Aviation Cadet, U.S. Naval Reserve.

Officer Service

20 April 1942; accepted appointment and executed oath of office as Aviation Cadet, U.S. Naval Reserve, to rank from 27 April 1942. 
27 April 1942; reported to Naval Air Station, Corpus Christi, Texas, for active duty undergoing training.
8 Oct 1942; designated as Naval Aviator (Heavier-than-Air); accepted appointment next day and executed oath of office as Ensign, A-V(N), USNR, to rank from 1 Oct 1942.
9 Oct 1942; completed active duty undergoing training and reported to Naval Air Station, Corpus Christi for temporary duty involving flying; on the same date, detached from NAS, Corpus Christi and ordered to report to Naval Air Station, Miami, Florida for pre-operational training. Reported 15 Oct 1942.
28 Nov 1942; detached from NAS, Miami, and ordered to report to NAS, Jacksonville, Florida. Reported on 28 Nov 1942. 10 Jan 1943; detached from NAS, Jacksonville and ordered to report for active duty involving flying in connection with the fitting out of Scouting Squadron SEVENTEEN,* and for active duty in that squadron when placed in commission 1 Jan 1943.
1 Oct 1943; appointed Lieutenant (junior grade) A-V(N), for temporary service in the Naval Reserve, to rank from 1 Oct 1943, in accordance with Alnav 166-43.
17 July 1943; classification changed to S(Al) in accordance with BuPer Cir Letter 298-44.

Lieutenant Thomson was officially reported missing in action on 11 November 1943 Pacific Area. The plane in which he was flying (a unit of Bombing Squadron SEVENTEEN ‘The Hell Divers’, based on USS BUNKER HILL) failed to return from a search for enemy submarines. In compliance with Section 5, Public Law 490, as amended, death is presumed to have occurred on the 11th day of January 1946.

* HELLDIVER SQUADRON, the story of carrier bombing squadron 17 with task force 58, by Robert Olds published by Dodd Mead Co, N. Y. ( 1st ed. Dec. 44) is available in the University Library, Davis.

In Service 2 years, 7 months and 9 days.

Decorations and Awards

PURPLE HEART (Posthumous).
AIR MEDAL.
AMERICAN AREA CAMPAIGN MEDAL.
ASIATIC-PACIFIC AREA CAMPAIGN MEDAL with one Bronze Star.
WORLD WAR II VICTORY MEDAL.