Professional Soldiers ® - Staff Sgt. Michael D. Thomas

RIP Brother..........

RELEASE NUMBER: 070430-01
DATE POSTED: APRIL 30, 2007

PRESS RELEASE: Army Special Forces Soldier dies in Afghanistan

U.S. Army Special Operations Command Public Affairs Office

FORT BRAGG, N.C. (USASOC News Service, Apr. 30, 2007) — An Army Special Forces Soldier stationed here was killed in action Apr. 27 when his unit made contact with enemy fighters while conducting a combat patrol south of Shindand, Shindand District, Herat Province, Afghanistan.

Staff Sgt. Michael D. Thomas, 34, a weapons sergeant assigned to 1st Battalion, 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne), died from wounds sustained during the firefight.

He deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in Mar. 2007.

A native of Seffner, Fla., Thomas enlisted in the Army Jan. 22, 1991 as a military police officer. After completing advanced individual training at Fort McClellan, Ala., he was assigned to Camp Casey, Korea. During the next 13 years, he served in positions of increasing responsibility within the Military Police Corps, eventually becoming a squad leader. In 2004, Thomas volunteered for Special Forces training and upon completion of the Special Forces Qualification Course in 2006, he was assigned to 7th SFG (A) as a Special Forces weapons sergeant.

His awards and decorations include the Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Korean Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, NCO Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, Parachutist Badge, and the Special Forces Tab.

Thomas is survived by his wife Teresa, son Craig, daughter Diana and granddaughter Alexis. His mother Debbie Kirkpatrick and stepfather Bob Kirkpatrick of Thonotosassa, Fla. also survive him.