Charles Roy Thompson

MEDALS-RIBBONS: China Service, National Defense, United Nations Service, Korean Service w/2 Stars

As a Torpedoman, Charles Thompson honorably served his nation during a time of peril.

Charles Roy Thompson was born 11-18-30 at home in Piedmont S.C. to Luther Gomer Thompson and Ruth Lister Thompson.  He had an older brother Francis and they attended grades 1-12 at Piedmont Public High School.

He played football all 4 years and earned his 4L.  He worked weekends and summers at a local garage. After graduation, he was employed by Piedmont Mfg. Co.  as a mechanic repairing pumps, compressors and such and was responsible for the humidifiers.  These were essential  to the cloth manufacturing.  He maintained and did repairs on air conditioning equipment for almost 1 1/2 years.  Both parents worked at this mill  as was the custom of most  families at that time.  He enlisted on 1-3-51 at Columbia, SC and took his basic training at Great Lakes, IL.  He joined the crew of the USS Shields there after was assigned to the torpedo unit.  Because of working, eating, sleeping in close quarters and going on liberty with them, he shared a bond that extended beyond the shipboard years.  A.D. Birchfield formed the first yearly Korean Veterans Reunion.  Charles and I attended 9 of them.  They were held in various cities in the fall so that men who were now farmers could attend.  We both looked forward to them, he rehashing past experiences and me listening or visiting with their wives.      While on leave from his 2nd cruise he married Aumenta Blaine on July 5th, 1953 and we returned to San Diego where we lived and raised 3 children.  There were 2 boys, Charles Roy Jr.  and William Ray and 1 daughter Sharon Yvette.

The boys learned how to use hand tools and the lawnmower., as did Sharon but most of all she was proud that he taught her how to tow a trailer.

(Years later this knowledge came in handy when she could drive and park her husband's and her  motor home).   Jobs after discharge were at a premium.  He worked repairing calculator machines.  Then got on at N. American Aviation (Downey) in Industrial  Maintenance and Construction until their layoff of 17,000.  Back to San Diego.  Next Ryan Aeronautical , and Caudell & Johnson.  At  C & DJ  met a friend here who encouraged him to study for Journeyman Electrician.  A did and became a full fledged electrician making more money.  He began working for union companies and was with one shop almost 20 years.  This La Jolla company did electrical work for customers with expensive homes. The celebrities valued Charles' work. often asking to send him to do the work.  After the company had a change of owners, he again went with multiple jobs including PWC at 32nd St..  San Onofre was just building "SONGS-2"  .He was there almost 4 years until completion.  Then Veterans Hospital at LaJolla, there 3 years.        While our kids were young, the familytrailer-camped in the summer at the beach or mountains.  Winter was at the desert.  Every 4 years all of us motored back to S.C. to see friends and family.  We also joined a square dance club and enjoyed that.  After the kids were grown, joined 2 camping groups.  Everyone had trailers or motor homes but we only ventured out up to 100 miles since most were 3-4day trips.      During his working years he attended classes to furtherhis electrical  knowledge and keep abreast with changes of code and the latest in the trade.  He was a self taught wood worker and enjoyed making gifts for family and friends.  He swapped  labor with friends of various trades and they built an addition above the garage, including a full bath.. He learned concrete work from a next door neighbor and helped friends pour concrete slabs for patio and walkways. ...All this was Charles Roy Thompson helping other people.