ARTHUR B. THOMPSON, LT, USN
Arthur Thompson '25
Lucky Bag
From the 1925 Lucky Bag:
Arthur Boughton Thompson
Baltimore, Maryland
"Art" "Teets" "Abie"
TEETS realized his first big ambition back in '20 when he signed his name on the dotted line, coughed, and became one of our number. Fate did not deal kindly with Teets, and he was forced to forsake his naval career for a few months, during which time he girded his loins to do battle with the Dago Department. After a hard struggle, which endured for four endless years, we find him with us yet, "bloody but unbowed"—which all goes to prove that a man may be down, but he's never out.
"Don't sit on the bed; here's a chair!!!" Teets has never, to our knowledge, uttered these words, but we well know that similar thoughts have entered his mind. The lad is neat to distraction, and if he were not to do passing well in an exam, we would lay the blame to the fact that his bed was mussed.
With him, the attraction of the sea surpasses that of the opposite sex; in fact, sometimes he is home only to flying fish! He is everybody's friend, not greasy, and a good athlete.
Class Football (4, 3, 2, 1); Class Track (4); Varsity Track (3); Wrestling (2, 1); Class Gym (4, 3, 2); Class Lacrosse (4, 1).
Arthur Boughton Thompson
Baltimore, Maryland
"Art" "Teets" "Abie"
TEETS realized his first big ambition back in '20 when he signed his name on the dotted line, coughed, and became one of our number. Fate did not deal kindly with Teets, and he was forced to forsake his naval career for a few months, during which time he girded his loins to do battle with the Dago Department. After a hard struggle, which endured for four endless years, we find him with us yet, "bloody but unbowed"—which all goes to prove that a man may be down, but he's never out.
"Don't sit on the bed; here's a chair!!!" Teets has never, to our knowledge, uttered these words, but we well know that similar thoughts have entered his mind. The lad is neat to distraction, and if he were not to do passing well in an exam, we would lay the blame to the fact that his bed was mussed.
With him, the attraction of the sea surpasses that of the opposite sex; in fact, sometimes he is home only to flying fish! He is everybody's friend, not greasy, and a good athlete.
Class Football (4, 3, 2, 1); Class Track (4); Varsity Track (3); Wrestling (2, 1); Class Gym (4, 3, 2); Class Lacrosse (4, 1).
Loss
Arthur died on March 31, 1940, from a self-inflicted gunshot wound "about two months" prior. He had shot himself while in his cabin aboard USS Teal while that ship was in Seattle, Washington; he was the commanding officer.
Other Information
From researcher Kathy Franz:
Arthur married Florence Orne Greasley on May 31, 1928, in the Bryn Mawr Presbyterian Church in Pennsylvania. Their sons Arthur, Robert and George were all born in Florida. In 1935, the family lived in Coronado, California.
In January, 1938, Arthur was stationed in Coco Solo, Panama. In February, Arthur was to command the U. S. S. Thrush. However, he was injured in an airplane accident and was confined to a Panama hospital for a long period. In July, 1938, Arthur was in Patrol Squad 2 and continued his treatment at the Naval Hospital in Philadelphia. His appointment to command the U. S. S. Thrush was revoked. In July, 1939, Arthur returned to active service at Pensacola.
In early 1940, he was despondent over the death of his father Arthur, a Baltimore advertising and printing executive. Arthur had a recent examination for an injury to his arm, and he was afraid that he would have to retire. At first, the hospital gave him a 50-50 chance of survival, but he died on March 31 with his wife at his bedside.
His mother and sister were both named Frances. His brother was Donald, and his other sister was Mary.
He was survived by his wife, Florence, and his three sons. He is buried in the Naval Academy Cemetery.
He earned his wings as naval aviator #3401 on April 7, 1928.
Memorial Hall Error
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