John T. Thompson | |
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![]() Photograph of Thompson | |
Birth name | John Taliaferro Thompson |
Born | Newport, Kentucky, U.S. | December 31, 1860
Died | June 21, 1940 Great Neck, New York, U.S. | (aged 79)
Buried | |
Allegiance | United States |
Service/ | United States Army |
Years of service | 1882–1914, 1917–1918 |
Rank | Brigadier General |
Awards | Distinguished Service Medal |
Other work | Auto-Ordnance Corporation founder |
John Taliaferro (Italian pronunciation: [taljaˈfɛrro]) (anglicized to "Tolliver"[1]) Thompson (December 31, 1860 – June 21, 1940) was a United States Army officer known for being the inventor of the Tommy gun.