COL Jerald L. Thompson

14 April 1994, Iraq

Special Forces

Colonel Jerald L. Thompson of Castro Valley, California, died on 14 April 1994 while supporting Operation PROVIDE COMFORT in northern Iraq.

Thompson had served in a variety of Army special operations assignments during his career, including as Commander of 1st Battalion, 5th Special Forces Group.

COL Thompson was killed when the UH-60 helicopter he was commanding was accidentally shot down by friendly fire north of Irbil, Iraq. He was assigned to the Security Assistance Training Management Office at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, at the time of his death.