Army SSGT Auston Charles Thompson was born in Munson, Florida on October 20, 1921, the oldest child of six of Albert David Thompson (1900-1959) and Mary Bessina "Bessie" A. Bass (1899-1989). His father was raised in the Robinson/Munson area of Santa Rosa County and provided his family a home at 907 North Alabama Street in Milton. Most of his life was spent in laborer type jobs and his son Auston followed him as early as 13-years old. In fact, in 1940 Auston was working 40 hours per week to help the family make ends meet. The following year, Auston was working for Maxwell Elliott (1914-1972) as a truck driver hauling timber. Records show that he married November 14, 1942 in Brewton however, the name of his bride is unknown. One child was born to this union, Auston Charles Thompson Jr. (1943-2015),
When WWII began, he entered the US Army on April 28, 1943, eight months before his son was born. He was sent to Camp Blanding, Florida for processing and then to basic training. Exactly when Auston was sent overseas is unknown but his regiment arrived in Africa in July 1943 in preparation for the Sicily invasion. Most likely he was sent to a replacement center who determined his assignment with the 179th Infantry Regiment of the 45th Infantry Division. Regardless, his regiment fought through the battles for Sicily, Anzio, and Rome before embarking for the invasion of Southern France.
Loading onto transports, Auston's regiment sailed for southern France where they landed on August 15, 1944 in the St. Tropez Gulf near Maxime. However, there was no opposition to their invasion unlike Normandy. But battles further inland awaited them at Meximieux, the Rhone Valley, and Grandvillers (dubbed Little Stalingrad). Near Grandvillers, Auston suffered shrapnel wounds in the chest from an artillery strike but was able to return to duty in time for the famous Battle of the Bulge in November. However, the German offensive was repulsed at great cost followed by the regiment's march into Germany. By April 26, 1945, the regiment had reached the shores of the Danube River and were preparing to cross.
As the regiment approached Munich on April 30th, Auston and his Company "E" charged into the suburbs at 1250 hours side by side with their Company "F" comrades. There, they secured the Isar River bridge and were the first to enter the embattled city, resulting in Munich's total capitulation. The next day, the civilians went about their normal business as if nothing had happened. And here within this controlled chaos of war on May 1st, Auston died of natural causes or by accidental death. His death was listed as "DNB" or death non-battle, which encompasses a wide range of death not connected with combat. Regardless, Auston died serving his country in her time of great need. His remains were brought home and arrived in Milton on Tuesday November 9, 1948. They were buried the next day in the Clear Creek Cemetery (Mitchell Cemetery) in Santa Rosa County.
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