Excerpts from obituary published in San Diego Union-Tribune on 5/5/2014:

Robert E. "Tommy" Thompson was born on August 19, 1925, in Miami, Florida.  He attended Vero Beach High School and enlisted in the U.S. Navy at age 16.  His ship, sailing with Convoy PQ 17, was attacked and sunk in July 1942.  He was captured by Germany and held as a POW until his liberation in April 1945.  He received the Purple Heart and the POW Medal.  After World War II, Tommy began a long career with the Department of Defense and worked his way up from airplane mechanic to quality assurance engineer.  Tommy was a member of The Masonic Lodge and the Al Bahr Shrine.  He enjoyed warm weather, traveling and music.  Tommy is survived by his wife of 62 years and 5 children, as well as grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He was interred at Miramar National Cemetery in San Diego.

Submitted by CDR Roy A. Mosteller, USNR (Ret)