CHAPTER CHATTER
The Official Newsletter of the
Shenandoah Valley Chapter #313
Korean War Veterans Association
MEMBER PROFILE
Ollie T. "Buck" Thompson
Buck was born in Fauquier County, VA on August 31, 1930, the son of Ollie and Annie Thompson. He is the youngest of seven children, three girls and four boys. All four of the Thompson boys are Army veterans with the three older brothers serving during WW II and Buck, ouf course, serving in Korea.
Buck Thompson
Buck attended school in both Upperville and Marshall, VA and has been a lifelong member of the Upperville Baptist Church since he was old enough to hold his mother's hand on the way to Church. There is a picture hanging in the vestibule of Buck as a little tike with the whole congregation
outside of the Church. Buck responded to God's message of salvation for his life when he was 14 years old and was baptized in 1944. He has served as Chairman of the Board of Deacons since about 1989.
Buck enlisted in the U.S. Army in January 1951, and following basic training at Camp Polk, LA, he served with the Occupation Forces in Hokkido, Japan prior to being shipped to Korea. He served in Korea from November 1951 to September 1952 with the 45th Division, 189th Field Artillery Battalion, reaching the rank of Corporal. After returning home he served an additional six years in the inactive reserves.
In November 1952, Buck and his wife, Mary Ann, were married. They have two children, Vince and Diane (Priss), three grandchildren, Jay, Stephanie, and Kayla, and one great-granddaughter, Ella. Buck resides at 5092 Barley Drive in Stephens City.
Buck says that he has only worked for two men, President Harry Truman, in the Korean War, and the balance of his career as the Superintendent of Farm Operations for Mr. Paul Mellon.
Buck has a sincere love and devotion to members of the Armed Forces of the United States.It was during his time as a young man stationed in Korea that God taught Buck just how precious his home and country were to him. Buck is a great prayer warrior for those serving in the military today as witnessed by his years of service as Chaplain of our Chapter. He is a Charter Member and currently is serving as our Chaplain Emeritus.
Thank you Buck for being the inspirational leader that you are and for the outstanding example you set for all of us.
MYSTERY MEMBER
OF THE MONTH
Can you guess the name of this Member of our Chapter?
(The answer is found on page 6)
In the end, we only regret the chances we didn't take, relationships we are afraid to have, and the decisions we waited too long to make.