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Daniel L Arnes, CMDCM
to remember
Thomson, James William M., LT.
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James W. M. Thomson, 59, of Merritt Island, FL, died Tuesday, March 7, 2006. Jim was born in White Plains, New York, to James Brown and Kathryn Elizabeth Thomson on October 22, 1946.
He was a responsible, loving son to his parents and honored them completely during his short life. He grew up admiring the commitments shown to him by his father and his grandfather, Archie Edgar Konecheck in their dedicated service to country and family. James followed in his father's footsteps by earning an appointment to the United States Naval Academy, after graduating from Seminole High School in 1964. Upon earning his commission in 1968, he hurried to complete flight training so he could begin his dream. Lt. James W.M. Thomson, U.S. Navy served his country overseas in time of war, acting as a search and rescue pilot among other notable challenges in Vietnam. He was immensely proud of his work and his choice to serve his nation through military service like that of those before him.
Jim was married to Weji (Wanda Gregory) for thirty-three years. This special union gave Jim the opportunity to introduce another of his loves, football, to his sons Johnny Ray and Robert Eugene Thomson. He was always present at all of their games and there was never a need for a megaphone while cheering his sons on. On September 20, 1975 Jim was blessed with his pride and joy, Kathryn Marie. Together they discovered life and built a bond that was truly blessed. Jim proved to be a loving giving man with the addition of his last born son, Nathan James Chad, born January 15, 1996. Jim shared his thoughts and inspirations with Nathan, always encouraging him to be the best he could and to take pride in his future accomplishments. Jim loved sports, books, television, space travel and life.
Jim was a dedicated Naval Officer in the United States Navy, before joining the engineering group for NASA in 1979. He served the United States at NASA until his retirement in January 2006 before being called home to be with the Lord. He is survived by his parents, his wife Weji, two sons, a daughter, two brothers, Scott and Craig, seven grandchildren. A memorial service was held March 11th, at Patrick Air Force Base.
Description This Campaign period was from 1 May to 30 June 1970. The allied push into Cambodia during the spring of 1970 brought the SEALORDS forces into a unique operational environment. At 0730 local time on 9 May, 10 days after ground troops crossed the border, a combined Vietnamese-American naval task force steamed up the Mekong River to wrest control of that key waterway from North Vietnamese and Viet Cong forces.
The flotilla, led by a Vietnamese naval officer, was composed of American PCFs, ASPBs, PBRs, HAL-3 and VAL-4 aircraft, Benewah, Askari, Hunterdon County, YRBM 16, YRBM 21 and 10 strike assault boats (STAB) of Strike Assault Boat Squadron 20, a fast-reaction unit created by Admiral Zumwalt in 1969. The Vietnamese contingent included riverine assault craft of many types, PCFs, PBRs, and marine battalions.
Naval Advisory Group personnel sailed with each Vietnamese vessel. By the end of the first day, Vietnamese naval units reached the Cambodian capital of Phnom Penh, while to the south the combined force stormed enemy-held Neak Luong, a strategic ferry crossing point on the river. For political reasons, no U.S. personnel were allowed past Neak Luong, midway to Phnom Penh.
Although the American component pulled out of Cambodia by 29 June, the Vietnamese continued to guard the Mekong and evacuate to South Vietnam over 82,000 ethnic Vietnamese jeopardized by the conflict.
