Retired Major Douglas W. Thompson, Sr. DOVER - Retired Major Douglas W. Thompson, Sr. of Dover, Del., died Monday May 17, 2010 at Kent General Hospital. He was 92. He was born October 26, 1917 in Johnstown, New York to the late Arthur and Emma Thompson. Major Thompson was a graduate of the University of New York with a degree in Industrial and Chemical Engineering; He also studied at several other schools of higher learning while in the service and after retiring. Major Thompson was a veteran of WWII, Korea and Vietnam. He served two years as an officer in the Royal Air Force in Canada and England before serving 22 years in the United States Air Corp and United States Air Force as a regular officer. Major Thompson was a Command Pilot and Administrative Staff Officer in both services. He was a pilot on the first low level raid on 8/1/1943 which bombed Ploesti, flying a B24 aircraft. Ploesti was Hitler's main fuel supplier for his war machines during WWII. Major Thompson was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and Air Medal for his part in the raid. He was awarded two more Distinguished Flying Crosses and three more Air Medals for other acts of heroism during WWII. During the Korean War he was part of the IG team and flew combat missions. For his efforts in Korea he was awarded the Commendation Medal. During the Vietnam War he flew cargo to supply the services. He has many hours in both conventional and jet aircrafts. Major Thompson received a total of 26 medals and awards for his service to include Conspicuous Cross from New York State in 11/1945. He retired from the Air Force in 12/1964 at Dover Air Force Base. Major Thompson was inducted into the Delaware Aviation Hall of Fame 10/6/2007. He was an avid spokesman for aviation and the service. After retiring he joined the team that manufactured the space suit at the International Latex Corp. He worked as an Industrial and Manufacturing Engineer for 11 years. Major Thompson was part of the launch team for Apollo 9. He was preceded in death by his wife, the love of his life of 58 years, Jean Catherine Thompson in 2004. Mr. Thompson is survived by his son, Douglas W. Thompson, Jr. and his wife Rebecca of Dover; three granddaughters, Roxanne Wyatt, Dr. Wendy Dodrill- Kanemoto and her husband Michael, and Andrea Cottman and her husband Kevin; and three great grandchildren. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held 1 p.m. Friday May 21, 2010 at Holy Cross Catholic Church, 631 S. State Street, Dover. Friends may call from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., Thursday evening at Torbert Funeral Chapel South, 1145 E. Lebanon Road (RT.10), Dover. Burial will be at Arlington National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers the family suggests contributions be made to Holy Cross Catholic Church, 631 S. State Street, Dover, DE 19901. Letters of condolence may be sent, and guestbook signed at torbertfuneral.com