Brad Thompson, Honorary Life Member
A Legacy of Service, Leadership, and Preservation at Turnbow–Higgs Post 240
Brad Thompson joined Turnbow–Higgs American Legion Post 240 in 1946, beginning what would become one of the longest and most influential memberships (69-years) (1946-2015) in the Post’s history. He earned his eligibility through service in the U.S. Army Air Corps—later the U.S. Air Force—during the Second World War, where he contributed directly to the Allied air campaign in Europe.
Early Military Service and Deployment to Europe
Brad celebrated his 20th birthday at Camp Miles Standish in Massachusetts, the final staging point before his deployment overseas. From there he embarked on the TSS Scythia, crossing the Atlantic and arriving at Greenock, Scotland. After disembarking, he traveled by train to Warrington, England, and from there was transported by truck to Base Air Depot No. 1.
At this critical logistics and maintenance hub, Brad served until VE Day, helping ensure the steady flow of combat‑ready aircraft to the front. Base Air Depot No. 1 supplied all of the 8th Air Force and part of the 9th Air Force with new aircraft and with rebuilt or repaired planes returning from combat operations. His work directly supported the strategic bombing campaign that helped bring the war in Europe to a close.
Post‑VE Day Service in Germany
With the air war concluded and fewer aircraft requiring repair, Brad was reassigned to duty in Germany, traveling there via France. He served as a military policeman during the early occupation period, helping maintain order and stability in the immediate aftermath of the war. He returned home in November 1945 aboard the USS Monticello, a former Italian liner captured and converted into a U.S. troopship.
A Lifetime of Legion Service
By August 2, 2014, Brad celebrated his 91st birthday and his 68th consecutive year of American Legion membership. His leadership, dedication, and steady presence left a permanent imprint on Post 240. In addition to serving as Post Commander in 1955, Brad held every Post Officer’s position, several of them more than once. His influence shaped the Post’s culture, operations, and continuity for decades.
Saving Post 240 from Collapse
Among Brad’s many contributions, one stands above the rest for its lasting impact: he saved Post 240 from extinction.
Post 240, chartered in 1920, had occupied its building at 801 E. Washington Street since 1940. After fifty years of use, both the building and the membership had deteriorated. By 1989, the structure was failing, membership had dwindled, and the Department of Texas revoked the Post’s charter. The organization was on the brink of disappearing entirely.
Brad Thompson refused to let that happen.
Through determination, leadership, and relentless work, he led the effort to have the charter restored and spearheaded the campaign to raise $95,000 to renovate the aging building. His efforts revived the Post physically, organizationally, and spiritually.
A New Era of Growth and Achievement
With renovations completed in 1991, Post 240 and Auxiliary Unit 240 entered a decade of renewed vitality. Membership surged into the 300s, and several members went on to serve at the District, Division, and Department levels. For a community the size of Stephenville—then under 15,000 residents—this resurgence was remarkable.
This renaissance was driven by many devoted members, but Brad Thompson, along with John Rogers and Joanna Lay, stood at the center of the revival.
Honors and Lasting Recognition
In 1992, Post 240 awarded Brad a long‑overdue Honorary Life Membership, recognizing his extraordinary service. He was named Legionnaire of the Year in 2002, further cementing his legacy of leadership and dedication.
In 2013, the Post honored him again by naming the large hall “The Brad Thompson Meeting Room.” A formal resolution and a large portrait of Brad now stand prominently behind the head table and podium—a permanent reminder of the man who preserved the Post for future generations.
Brad Thompson’s story is not only the biography of a Legionnaire—it is the story of Post 240’s survival, renewal, and enduring strength. His service in war, his leadership in peace, and his unwavering devotion to the Post continue to inspire every member who walks through the doors he helped save.
