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News Release

Press Release | Aug. 3, 2022

Marine Accounted For From World War II (Thompson, G.)

WASHINGTON  –   The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) announced today that Marine Corps Reserve 2nd Lt. Gordon E. Thompson, 22, killed during World War II, was accounted for July 13, 2022.

In August 1942, Thompson was a member of Marine Fighting Squadron 224, Marine Aircraft Group 23. On Aug. 31, he was piloting one of 26 Grumman F4F Wildcat fighters on an interception mission near Guadalcanal. Despite no enemy contact, Thompson was one of three who failed to return from the mission. One of the pilots returned 10 days later, but Thompson was never seen again and was listed as missing in action. The Department of the Navy issued a finding of death on Jan. 8, 1946.

For additional information on the Defense Department’s mission to account for Americans who went missing while serving our country, visit the DPAA website at www.dpaa.mil, or find us on social media at www.facebook.com/dodpaa or https://www.linkedin.com/company/defense-pow-mia-accounting-agency.