ALCOAST 325/22 - SEP 2022 DEATH OF A RETIRED FLAG OFFICER AND HALF-MASTING OF NATIONAL ENSIGN

R 072000Z SEP 22 MID600052267700U
FM COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC
TO ALCOAST
BT
UNCLAS
ALCOAST 325/22
SSIC 5060
SUBJ: DEATH OF A RETIRED FLAG OFFICER AND HALF-MASTING OF
NATIONAL ENSIGN
A. USCG Regulations 1992, COMDTINST M5000.3B
1. It is with great sadness that I announce the death of Vice
Admiral Donald C. "Deese" Thompson, USCG (retired), who passed
away Sunday, August 21, 2022, at Lower Cape Fear Life Care Hospice
in Wilmington, North Carolina, at the age of 91.
2. By order of the Commandant, and IAW REF (A), the National Ensign
shall be flown at half-mast on all Coast Guard buildings, grounds,
and vessels not underway from sunrise until sunset on Sunday,
September 10, 2022, in honor of VADM Thompson.
3. VADM Thompson was born on November 9, 1930 in Hollis, New York,
and was raised in Erie, Pennsylvania. He was a 1952 graduate of
the U.S. Coast Guard Academy and received a Master's of Science
degree from Purdue University in 1966.
4. Following graduation from the U.S. Coast Guard Academy, VADM
Thompson had two sea duty assignments, including a North Atlantic
ice patrol and weather patrol; he completed Naval flight training
and served at numerous aviation units from Alaska to Florida. His
operational commands include Air Station Commanding Officer, Group
Commander, and Captain of the Port. He held District staff
assignments as Chief of Operations and Chief of Staff. VADM
Thompson then served as Chief of Coast Guard Aeronautical
Engineering in Coast Guard Headquarters.
5. Appointed to Flag Rank in 1979, VADM Thompson was assigned as
Chief of Engineering followed by Chief of Operations, both at
Coast Guard Headquarters. VADM Thompson was then assigned as
Commander, Seventh Coast Guard District, Miami, Florida, where he
was appointed as the Federal Coordinator for the Vice President's
South Florida Task Force on Crime, and became the first
coordinator for the Southeast Region of the National Narcotics
Boarder Interdiction System. He was then assigned as Chief of
Staff in Washington, D.C., where he was the Coast Guard's
principal management and financial officer responsible for
budgeting, planning, and resource allocation.
6. Appointed to Vice Admiral in 1986, VADM Thompson assumed the
duties of Commander, Coast Guard Atlantic Area and Commander, U.S.
Maritime Defense Zone Atlantic, where he was responsible for all
Coast Guard operations in the Atlantic, Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico,
Great Lakes, and Western Rivers; essentially everything east of
the Rocky Mountains.
7. VADM Thompson's awards include two Distinguished Service Medals,
the Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Meritorious
Service Medal, four Coast Guard Commendation medals, Coast Guard
Unit Commendation and Meritorious Unit Commendation, the Navy
Expeditionary Medal and others. VADM Thompson accumulated 6,000
flight hours as a fixed wing and rotary wing aviator and was the
Coast Guard's "Ancient Albatross", the earliest designated pilot
on active duty, from 1985 to 1988.
8. VADM Thompson retired from the Coast Guard in 1988 and went on
to manage an overseas airport and became vice president and
corporate pilot for a local firm, and was a consultant to aviation
and maritime ventures. He was an active member of The Basilica of
St. Mary, a member of the Civitan Club, volunteered at the Cape
Fear Free Health Clinic, and served on several local non-profit
and national corporate boards.
9. VADM Thompson was preceded in death by his brother Arthur and
his sister Marie. He is survived by his beloved wife of nearly 70
years, Jeanne (Kline) Thompson, as well as children Dennis
(Patricia), Mitch (Barbara), Sandra Nolf (Randy), Janice Kiehl
(Thomas), Theresa Sawyer (William), and Patrick (Kathleen), in
addition to eighteen grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren.
10. Visitation will be held for VADM Thompson at the Andrews
Funeral Home, 1617 Market St, Wilmington, North Carolina, on
Friday September 9, 2022 from 4:00 to 6:00 pm. A Funeral Liturgy
will be held Saturday, September 10, 2022, at 11:00 am at the
Basilica of St. Mary, located at 412 Ann St. in Wilmington.
11. For additional information on VADM Thompson's life and funeral
services or to share memories or express condolences online,
please visit:
(Copy and Paste URL Below into Browser)
https://www.andrewsmortuary.com/obituary/donald-thompson

VADM Thompson's official biography can be found at:
(Copy and Paste URL Below into Browser)

https://www.history.uscg.mil/Browse-by-Topic/Notable-People/All/
Article/1918444/vice-admiral-donald-c-thompson/

12. ADM S. D. Poulin, Vice Commandant (VCG), sends.
13. Internet release is authorized.