Thompson, John Taliaferro (1860–1940)

US general and weapons designer. He invented the Thompson sub-machine gun 1920, which became famous as the ‘Tommy gun’.

Thompson joined the artillery 1882, transferred to the Ordnance Department 1890, and spent the rest of his military career in developing small arms, particularly the Springfield M1903 rifle and Colt M1911 pistol. He retired from the army November 1914 and joined the Remington Arms Company as chief engineer.

When the USA entered the war 1917 he was recalled to duty and converted the British Enfield rifle to the US .303 in calibre design. He was promoted to brigadier general and given responsibility for supplying small arms and ammunition to the American Expeditionary Force in France, and was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal for his services. He retired from the army again December 1918 and returned to designing small arms.