Thompson Werk

Hello, my name is Robert Thompson and history is my passion. As of August 2009,  I began the journey of earning my PhD. in American History at the University of Southern Mississippi. My interests include American diplomacy and political-military relations. America’s interaction with the Pacific world, especially the Vietnam War, is of great interest to me. At the doctoral level I intend to research America’s pacification efforts in South Vietnam after Tet 1968.

I enjoy spending time with my wife, family, and friends. My favorite book is The Stranger, by Albert Camus. In terms of history, I’ve read too many good books to start naming favorites. The three bands I listening to on a regular basis are Depeche Mode, The Cure, and The Chameleons (see for yourself at Last.fm). This list would be incomplete if I neglected to mention that I am a huge Washington Capitals fan, and a fan of all things hockey.

Read about my past experiences in my favorite city, Vienna.

Curriculum Vitae | Robert J. Thompson

Education
PhD. Student, US History	The University of Southern Mississippi Advisor: Dr. Andrew Wiest
M.A., History, 2007	Wilfrid Laurier University Thesis: “We Need You!” The Coast Artillery Corps on the Western Front, 1917-1918 Advisor: Dr. Roger Sarty
B.A., History, Cum Laude, 2006	Virginia Wesleyan College Thesis: “No Mercy: World War Two Pacific Combat Shaped By Environment, Violence, and Racism” Advisor: Dr. Daniel Margolies
Study Abroad
2011	University of Southern Mississippi, Vietnam
2005	University of Oregon, AHA International, Vienna, Austria
Interests
	Modern U.S. Diplomatic and Military Relations, Vietnam War
Teaching
2007 – 2009	Adjunct Instructor of History, Virginia Wesleyan College
	History 113: History of the United States until 1877 History 111: World History to A.D. 1600
Publications
Book Reviews
Forthcoming	Review of Allies Against The Rising Sun: The United States, the British Nations, and the Defeat of Imperial Japan. By Nicholas Evan Sarantakes. (University Press of Kansas, 2009) in Army History, forthcoming.
Encyclopedia Entries
Forthcoming	“Pleiku,” Viet Minh,” “Westmoreland, William.” in Encyclopedia of the Nineteen Sixties. Edited by Jim Baugess and Abbe Debolt. Santa Barbara, CA: ABC-CLIO, forthcoming.
Conferences
Presentations
2011	“The Pacific Community and the Vietnam War,” Graduate Student Research Symposium, University of Southern Mississippi
2010	“‘We Need You!’ The Coast Artillery Corps on the Western Front, 1917-1918,” Graduate Student Research Symposium, University of Southern Mississippi
2008	“‘We Need You!’ The Coast Artillery Corps on the Western Front, 1917-1918,” 19th Military History Colloquium, Laurier Centre for Military Strategic and Disarmament Studies
2006	“No Mercy: World War Two Pacific Combat Shaped By Environment, Violence, and Racism,” Tri-University History Conference, University of Guelph
2006	“No Mercy: World War Two Pacific Combat Shaped By Environment, Violence, and Racism,” Phi Alpha Theta Conference, Virginia Military Institute
Judging
2011	Phi Alpha Theta Virginia Regional Conference, Virginia Wesleyan College
Awards and Honors
2011	Travel Grant for Vietnam, University of Southern Mississippi
2009-present	Teaching Assistantship, University of Southern Mississippi
2006-2007	Thomas R. Wilson Memorial Scholarship, Virginia Wesleyan College
2006	Distinguished Graduating History Student, Virginia Wesleyan College
2005-2206	Honors and Scholars Program Participant, Virginia Wesleyan College
2004-2006	Presidential Scholar, Virginia Wesleyan College
Memberships
	Society for Military History
	History Graduate Society
	Phi Alpha Theta
	Omicron Delta Kappa
	Delta Phi Alpha
	Society for Collegiate Journalists