Rank / Rating: ENS-Ensign
David enlisted in the Navy in California on May 7, 1942. He was sent to train in the V-12 program at Carroll College, Helene, Montana receiving his commission as an Ensign in the USNR. He boarded Indianapolis on April 11, July 1945, only three months before Indy sailed from Hunter's Point on July 16, 1945.
His older brothers George and Ransom served in WWII and survived. David the youngest brother was killed aboard Indianapolis July 30, 1945.
David’s family was notified that he was Missing in Action through a telegram received on VJ Day - the same day the Japanese Emperor Hirohito announced surrender through a radio broadcast to the Japanese people. David’s mother was devastated losing her youngest son blaming Roosevelt for the war and the government for negligence in the loss of her son’s ship, Indianapolis.
David’s family members attended the 1990 Indianapolis Survivors Reunion with the mission of learning more about David’s fate. Thanks to help from Jack Anderson and Dan Kutzman, Jump’s family spent two days interviewing survivors for information.
Jump’s brother Ransom wrote, “Nearly losing hope, we attended the banquet and sat with a survivor and his family. Upon viewing David’s photo, David Thompson, EM 3/c, began to weep. He was in charge of the Ensigns boarding 13 days before the tragedy. It was wonderful to learn that the boys were asleep and did not suffer the horror that many men did. We thank God that David Thompson survived until our paths crossed. He went to his reward two months after we met him. We attended the memorial dedication and felt some vindication.”
Family member Tim Jump continued to attend reunions and is the custodian of David’s Purple Heart, awarded posthumously. Tim turned the Heart over one day to see David Jump engraved on the back.
