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==Background==

==Background==

Thompson was born in the capital city of [[Baton Rouge]], to Henry Howard Thompson and the former Frances Ellzey. During [[World War II]], he was from 1943-1945 a [[first lieutenant]] in the [[United States Army Air Corps]], the forerunner of the [[United States Air Force|Air Force]]. He served in the [[European Theatre of Operations]]. During the war, Thompson earned the [[Distinguished Flying Cross]] and the [[Air Medal]] with three [[Oak Leaf Cluster]]s.<ref name=whoswho>William Y. Thompson, ''Who's Who in America'' Vol. 42 (1982-1983), ([[Chicago, Illinois|Chicago]]: Marquis Publishing Company, 1983), p. 3329.</ref>

Thompson was born in the capital city of [[Baton Rouge]], to Henry Howard Thompson and the former Frances Ellzey. During [[World War II]], he was from 1943-1945 a first lieutenant in the [[United States Army]] Air Corps, the forerunner of the [[United States Air Force|Air Force]]. He served in the European Theatre of Operations. During the war, Thompson earned the [[Distinguished Flying Cross]] and the Air Medal with three Oak Leaf Clusters.<ref name=whoswho>William Y. Thompson, ''Who's Who in America'' Vol. 42 (1982-1983), ([[Chicago, Illinois|Chicago]]: Marquis Publishing Company, 1983), p. 3329.</ref>

   

   

After his military service, Thompson completed his studies at the [[University of Alabama]] at Tuscaloosa, [[Alabama]], having received his [[Bachelor of Arts]] degree in 1946. In 1946, he obtained the [[Master of Arts]] from [[Emory University]], a [[Methodist]]-affiliated institution in [[Atlanta]], [[Georgia]]. From 1950 to 1955, he was a professor at Presbyterian College in Clinton in Laurens County in northwestern [[South Carolina]]. While at Presbyterian College, he completed requirements for his [[Ph.D.]] at the [[University of North Carolina]] at Chapel Hill, [[North Carolina]].<ref name=whoswho/>

After his military service, Thompson completed his studies at the [[University of Alabama]] at Tuscaloosa, [[Alabama]], having received his [[Bachelor of Arts]] degree in 1946. In 1946, he obtained the [[Master of Arts]] from [[Emory University]], a [[Methodist]]-affiliated institution in [[Atlanta]], [[Georgia]]. From 1950 to 1955, he was a professor at Presbyterian College in Clinton in Laurens County in northwestern [[South Carolina]]. While at Presbyterian College, he completed requirements for his [[Ph.D.]] at the [[University of North Carolina]] at Chapel Hill, [[North Carolina]].<ref name=whoswho/>