Clinton resident, Vietnam veteran honored at ceremony

By Evan Thompson ethompson@whidbeynewsgroup.com • November 18, 2017 8:00 am
USMC photo — Jim Thompson, right, was the guest of honor at a United States Marine Corps birthday ceremony on Nov. 9 in Philadelphia, Penn. To the left of Thompson is his son, Chandler, who is a first lieutenant and readiness officer at the NAVSUP Weapon Systems Support base.
USMC photo — Jim Thompson, right, was the guest of honor at a United States Marine Corps birthday ceremony on Nov. 9 in Philadelphia, Penn. To the left of Thompson is his son, Chandler, who is a first lieutenant and readiness officer at the NAVSUP Weapon Systems Support base.

Clinton resident Jim Thompson, a former Marine, was recently the guest of honor at a United States Marine Corps birthday ceremony.

Thompson spoke about some of his experiences while serving in the Marines from 1966-1969, which included a tour in Vietnam,. The ceremony took place at the NAVSUP Weapon Systems Support base on Nov. 9 in Philadelphia.

The Marine Corps recently celebrated its 242nd year of existence on Nov. 10. The weapon systems support base holds annual events to mark the occasion and typically invites veterans to speak at its functions.

Thompson served in the 1st Battalion 9th Marines, which had a reputation for high casualty rates, from February 1968 to February 1969. He was wounded three times and also participated in operations at Khe Sanh, Con Thien and the A Shau Valley. He finished his military service as a corporal.

Thompson wore his dress blues uniform for the first time in 50 years at the event. He spoke in front of a crowd of about 100 people at the base and took the first bite from the cake during the cake cutting ceremony.

His son Chandler Thompson, a first lieutenant in the Marines, works at the base as a readiness officer.

Jim Thompson also spoke at South Whidbey High School Veteran’s Day assembly on Nov. 21.