A CO Down man who became an award-winning college football coach, attorney and United States senator before embarking on a distinguished military career, is to be honoured in his home-town.
Joseph Henry Thompson, who hailed from the townland of Dunnaval in Kilkeel, will be remembered with the unveiling of an Ulster History Circle blue plaque on Thursday.
The organisation said among Mr Thompson's notable accolades was receiving the US medal of honour - the nation’s highest personal military decoration.
The plaque will be unveiled at the Kilmorey Arms Hotel by the American Consul-General in Belfast, Elizabeth Kennedy Trudeau.
Born in Kilkeel in 1871, little is known about his early years, but a life in the Mournes was not for him and he emigrated to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in 1889.
He studied at Duff’s College, Geneva College and Pitt Law School where he graduated as an attorney and later became a member of the Pennsylvania Senate.
Excelling at sport, he played half-back and coached at Geneva, Carnegie Tech and Pittsburgh High School, where he was paramount in its first national championship success.
As World War I raged in Europe and America joined the war in I9I7, Mr Thompson was among the troops to travel to France.
Serving with the Pennsylvania National Guard for 14 years, he was wounded four times, but remained on duty and encouraged his battalion.
For his bravery, he was awarded the distinguished service cross, later replaced by the medal of honour by President Herbert Hoover. He was also presented with the Croix DeGuerre of France.
Returning from France, he continued his work as an attorney and visited Kilkeel many times. Married with one son, he died in 1928, aged 57, and was buried with full military honours in Pennsylvania.
Chris Spurr of the Ulster History Circle said they were "pleased" to commemorated "this renowned soldier".
"Joseph H Thompson was an award-winning college football coach, attorney and state senator in Pennsylvania, who then distinguished himself on military service in France in I9I8.
"His valour there led to him receiving the United States Medal of Honor, the nation’s highest personal military decoration, and he is the only Ulster-born soldier to win this medal in World War I."
