Peter John Thompson – Major, United States Army

20 October 2004:

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Virginia – Services are scheduled today for a retired Army Major who played a key role in the United States’ attempt in 1980 to rescue more than 50 Americans held hostage in Iran.

Peter John Thompson died Saturday at a Charlottesville hospital. He was 56. After a service in Charlottesville, Thompson will be buried with full military honors in Arlington National Cemetery.

Then-Captain Thompson was a member of the Delta Force commando group on “Operation Eagle Claw” in 1980. The mission was aborted after a helicopter crash, which killed eight U-S service members.

Thompson graduated from Meadowbrook High School in Chesterfield County and won the Purple Heart, Bronze Star and the Distinguished Flying Cross during three tours of duty in Vietnam. He most recently was a government contract consultant.


THOMPSON, PETER J

  • MAJ   US ARMY
  • VETERAN SERVICE DATES: 11/29/1967 – 09/30/1985
  • DATE OF BIRTH: 11/29/1947
  • DATE OF DEATH: 10/16/2004
  • DATE OF INTERMENT: 12/06/2004
  • BURIED AT: SECTION 38  SITE 5070
  • ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY

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