Imagery from RADM William Thompson's Celebration of Life
A gallery of photos and documents from the Celebration of Life ceremony held Dec. 2, 2018 at the Navy Memorial that RADM Thompson was so instrumental in creating.
Video from Celebration of Life ceremony of RADM William Thompson
“Remembering RADM William Thompson” video - Video from the touching ceremony held at the Navy Memorial on Sunday, Dec. 2. Please forward to anyone who couldn’t make it to the premiere screening or who wants to see it again. It can also be downloaded to a computer or hard drive for permanent storage. It’s 11 minutes long, formatted in mp4 hi-res and is best viewed full screen.
Note from USNPAA President
Dear USNPAA Members,
It is with sadness that I inform you about the passing of Rear Admiral Bill Thompson, the first public affairs specialist to become a flag officer and lead our community. He passed away on Monday afternoon, 15 October, at Walter Reed National Medical Center surrounded by his loving family.
I contend the public affairs community would never be the respected community it is today had it not been for Admiral Thompson’s leadership and vision. Admiral Thompson knew the Navy had a story to tell to the public—and set out to do it. He convinced Navy leaders that it was part of their responsibility to tell that story. After all, we were an organization accountable to the American public. It was their Navy, and the citizens wanted to hear about it. He also understood the importance of internal communications. Admiral Thompson was responsible for installing closed circuit television aboard our ships in the 1970’s, for example—the leading edge of technology at the time.
His legacy and the important role that public affairs plays in today’s Navy live on.
After his retirement from the Navy, Admiral Thompson had a dream—to establish a memorial that honored the Navy he loved. And it’s a dream he fulfilled. Raising the necessary funds and finding a beautiful location on Pennsylvania Avenue in downtown Washington, DC, Admiral Thompson was responsible for the construction of the U.S. Navy Memorial. It stands today and proudly honors the Navy and the men and women who have and continue to serve it.
Admiral Thompson captures his life in his autobiography, “Gumption: My Life-My Words.” The book provides a great look into some of his experiences, his loving family, his wit and his love of the U.S. Navy.
We will keep you apprised of a memorial service when those plans are known.
Admiral Thompson was 96 years old.
Tom Jurkowsky
A gallery of photos and documents from the Celebration of Life ceremony held Dec. 2, 2018 at the Navy Memorial that RADM Thompson was so instrumental in creating.
Video from Celebration of Life ceremony of RADM William Thompson
“Remembering RADM William Thompson” video - Video from the touching ceremony held at the Navy Memorial on Sunday, Dec. 2. Please forward to anyone who couldn’t make it to the premiere screening or who wants to see it again. It can also be downloaded to a computer or hard drive for permanent storage. It’s 11 minutes long, formatted in mp4 hi-res and is best viewed full screen.
Note from USNPAA President
Dear USNPAA Members,
It is with sadness that I inform you about the passing of Rear Admiral Bill Thompson, the first public affairs specialist to become a flag officer and lead our community. He passed away on Monday afternoon, 15 October, at Walter Reed National Medical Center surrounded by his loving family.
I contend the public affairs community would never be the respected community it is today had it not been for Admiral Thompson’s leadership and vision. Admiral Thompson knew the Navy had a story to tell to the public—and set out to do it. He convinced Navy leaders that it was part of their responsibility to tell that story. After all, we were an organization accountable to the American public. It was their Navy, and the citizens wanted to hear about it. He also understood the importance of internal communications. Admiral Thompson was responsible for installing closed circuit television aboard our ships in the 1970’s, for example—the leading edge of technology at the time.
His legacy and the important role that public affairs plays in today’s Navy live on.
After his retirement from the Navy, Admiral Thompson had a dream—to establish a memorial that honored the Navy he loved. And it’s a dream he fulfilled. Raising the necessary funds and finding a beautiful location on Pennsylvania Avenue in downtown Washington, DC, Admiral Thompson was responsible for the construction of the U.S. Navy Memorial. It stands today and proudly honors the Navy and the men and women who have and continue to serve it.
Admiral Thompson captures his life in his autobiography, “Gumption: My Life-My Words.” The book provides a great look into some of his experiences, his loving family, his wit and his love of the U.S. Navy.
We will keep you apprised of a memorial service when those plans are known.
Admiral Thompson was 96 years old.
Tom Jurkowsky