SGT Thomas E. Vandling, Jr.

1 January 2007, Iraq

PSYOP

A native of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Sergeant Thomas E. Vandling, Jr. died on 1 January 2007 near Babil Province, Iraq, when he suffered fatal wounds from an improvised explosive device while on a combat patrol.

Vandling enlisted in the U.S. Army Reserve as a Psychological Operations Specialist in 2001. After Basic Combat Training at Fort Jackson, South Carolina, and Advanced Individual Training at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, he was assigned to the 303rd Psychological Operations Company, Oakdale, Pennsylvania.

SGT Vandling was serving as a Psychological Operations Specialist in the 303rd Psychological Operations Company when he died during Operation IRAQI FREEDOM.