Charles Rudolph THOMPSON
Army 58th Infantry 4th Infantry Division

Joined the Army in April 27th 1918. Trained at Camp Devens in Massachusetts. While in training he was with the 304th Infantry Co B. Shipped to France for combat on July 8th 1918. Then served with the Co I 163rd Infantry for The Toulon Sector Battle till August 8th. Then for the rest of the battle he served with the Co D 58th Infantry. He did heavy combat in Vesle Sector Battle,St Mihiell Offensive,Meuse Argonne Offensive. October 1st 1919 his company was alone in the Argonne Forest and under deadly machine gun fire. He was on the left flank,the right and middle got the orders to retreat and his side never got the order. The whole left flank company were all killed except for him. For over 24hrs he was alone up against hundreds of Germans. He was under fire from 30 German machine guns,over 3 dozen Snipers. He took out 2 machine guns alone,and was wounded after 30hrs alone then was captured. He sent to the Rastatt German POW Camp. He was starved,beaten and also tortured for defending his friend. He was beaten till he coulden't walk and had 2 finger tips cut off. He spent 2 1/ 2 months in the POW camp. December 9th 1918 he was liberated by The Red Cross and YMCA. Spent 2 months in Switerland recovering,then shipped back to england then came home on April 30th 1919. He was honorably Discharged at Camp Devens.

He earned The WW1 Victory Medal with 3 Bars,Purple Heart,POW Medal.

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