15-086 Garand Picture of the Day

[wjthompson]

My Dad PSgt Tommy Thompson was one of 2 platoon sargents in the 5th Amphibious Tractor Battalion. He was either in the 3rd or 4th waive close to Mt. Suribachi. He died during the 20th anniversary of the battle due to heart damage from a wound infection. Probably a streptococcal infection. I was 13 when he passed. My uncle, who was on one of the aircraft carriers during the battle, confirmed a few things for me; the wound was a mild flesh wound, from a Jap machine gun, on the bottom of his foot. The infection hospitalized him several days later. Strep infections if not tended to can lead to rheumatic fever and for some heart damage. The division mascot "Roscoe" a 30+ pound African lion cub was part of my Dad's winnings off a San Diego zoo keeper. He snuck Roscoe on his ship in his amtrack. I'll try to post a few pictures later today need to get some sleep. It says I can't share photos. This my 1st post to this forum.

Information

Warning: This is a relatively older thread This discussion is older than 360 days. Some information contained in it may no longer be current.