James Andrew (Andy) Thompson

October 1, 1942

A card from ANDREW THOMPSON to The Tribune, says he has been transferred from Camp Bowie, Texas to Camp Shelby, Miss. He said he enjoys receiving The Tribune each week and to tell all his friends hello. Andrew is advised that two other Bunnellites are now at Camp Shelby-Dale B. Brown and Otis Hunter.

October 8, 1942

Ben Sparkman, who was in the same outfit with ANDREW THOMPSON at Camp Bowie for so long, has been transferred to Fort Bragg, N. C.

October 15, 1942

ANDREW THOMPSON, recently was transferred to Camp Shelby from Camp Bowie, is spending a week here visiting friends and relatives.

November 12, 1942

The Tribune received a card from ANDREW THOMPSON, who is still at Camp Shelby, Miss., saying that he had received a letter from Dell Bradbury who was attending a school for mess sergeants on the West Coast.

January 7, 1943

ANDREW THOMPSON and Dale Brown are here on a visit from Camp Shelby, Miss., Andrew left there 24 hours before Dale and neither knew the other had leave.

ANDREW THOMPSON has just completed his training in an administrative school at Camp Shelby, is now working in an office there.

March 11, 1943

ANDREW THOMPSON, at Camp Shelby, Miss., has been made a corporal technician.

March 18, 1943

Cpl. ANDREW THOMPSON has transferred from Camp Shelby, Miss., to Camp Beauregard, La. A letter from Andrew' says he likes his new camp and new duties much better.
(Thanks for the letter, Andy).

May 6, 1943

Had a letter this week, also, from ANDREW THOMPSON who is at Camp Beauregard, La., asking for the address of Zeno Mercer at Camp Clairborne, La., and Ben Sparkman (in Africa) since last fall. Andrew and Ben went into the army together. We'll write you a letter, Andrew and give the addresses. Can't do it in this column. Incidentally, I offer congratulations on the promotion to Sgt. and hope you can I get the furlough soon)

July 29, 1943

Another letter from Sgt. ANDREW THOMPSON who has been sent to Camp Young California, where his outfit is engaged in maneuvers in the desert. Andy says it hotter than you know what out there, but it is toughening the gang for what may come in the future. He sends his best regards to all his friends here.

October 28, 1943

Well, fellows, offer your congratulations to Comrade-in-Arms Sgt. ANDREW THOMPSON, who was married October 16 to Miss Alice Catherine Riggin of Los Angeles but formerly of St. Louis, Mo. Andrew says he expects to come back to Florida and live after the war. Andrew was married in St. Paul's Episcopal Church at Pomona, Calif., with Rev. Thomas R. Marshall performing the ceremony in the presence of the bride's sister and her husband, 1st Lt. Buchan.

(Andrew, I shall drink that cup of coffee as a toast to your good fortune and a sincere wish for much happiness in double harness)

November 25, 1943

Only one letter to record. It is from Sgt. ANDREW THOMPSON who, if you didn't get the news, was married last month and is still in California. Andrew said he hopes to get a furlough soon (hasn't had any since January) but will spend the time in Calf. because he can't get enough to come to Florida. Andrew is also "burned" up because of the incessant strikes, just like the rest of you fellows and a big group of the civilians at home.

(We agree with you, Andrew, and remind you, and the others in service, you have a political job to do when you got home. You are out now saving the country with arms and when you get home a lot of us want your help in saving the country a second time with your votes.)

December 16, 1943

It sure is swell for so many of you fellows to remember us with Christmas greetings from "all over." We received just this week beautifully executed V- Mail Christmas greetings from S/Sgt. Alfred Tucker in England and from Raymond Smith with the Seabees in the Southwest Pacific. In addition, Pfc. Owen O. Thomas sends us a nice one inscribed "Greetings to you up yonder from Down Under." Also Dan Dechman at Aberdeen Proving Grounds, Md., AMM2/C Joe Tanner at Kingsville, Texas; Russell Thompson, coast guardsman, at West Palm Beach; Sgt. and Mrs. ANDREW THOMPSON in California; Seabee Herbert Anderson (also down in the Southwest Pacific); Victor Cyzycki who is an air student at Amherst, Mass. Also one from a guy we haven't heard from in a long time - Dell Bradberry, in the army and at Vallejo. Thanks a million, fellows!

June 15, 1944

Here we are thinking ANDREW THOMPSON had been shipped overseas – because we haven't heard from him in several months. But we were advised this week by Mrs. J. E. Burnsed, his aunt who used to be postmaster at Espanola, that Andrew has been in the hospital in California with gastritis, but is feeling better. She said Andrew had been before a board of doctors and "pronounced unfit for overseas duty," She gave me his home address which is in San Bernardino. We are glad to know he is out of the hospital.

October 11, 1945

...... the following men perhaps well known to you - are now just plain Mister Civilian. They have been given honorable discharges from Uncle Sam’s fighting forces .....

JAMES A. THOMPSON

December 28, 1944

We understand, too, that ANDY THOMPSON has been discharged and is at work in Los Angeles where he and Mrs. Thompson make their home.