​​Alfred was the son of Niels Sorensen and Dagmar Thomsen. He was born in Nebraska on 4 December 1897. He was a veteran of both the First and Second World Wars, having served in the Nebraska National Guard. 

​Lt Col Thomsen’s battalion slowly pushed southwards through the bocage towards Saint-Lo. On the Division's left flank were the US 29th Infantry Division and the US 30th Infantry Division. All were pushing to try to liberate the town and cross the river Vire; this was the main objective of XIX Corps. 

​The battles along the route would see the Division securing several areas of high ground, such as Hill 122. Hill 122 had a ridge which sat just to the south of L’Emelie. It was from here that the attack would advance on 17 July towards the hill’s crest. 

​At 04:30, the 3rd Battalion launched an attack to take the hill. It is recorded in the reports that on this day, the weather was poor with heavy fog, which reduced visibility to a point where the armoured support of tanks and self-propelled guns was deemed useless. 

​Before the attack, artillery and mortar barrages had been brought down onto the area, but not as close as was desired. 

​As the attack advanced and the US soldiers moved through the bocage and fields, they came under heavy enemy resistance from prearranged defensive German positions. Following flanking manoeuvres, the hill was still not taken by dusk; it fell 400 yards short of the crest. The attack would start again at 11:00 on 18 July. 

​On 17 July, Lt Col Thomsen had been wounded during this battle for the hill, and he was awarded the Purple Heart. 

​On 18 July, the weather had improved, and the tanks would be far more effective with their support. At 11:00, the attack commenced and by 14:00, German defences had weakened and shortly after that, the hill was taken. 

​The next phase was a downhill advance of 1100 yards. The high ground was finally secured. The edge of Saint-Lo was in view. 

​On 30 July, Lt Col Thomsen was wounded in action. His battalion headquarters was hit by a German shell. He was evacuated to England and would die of his wounds 16 days later.