SSG Matthew V. Thompson

23 August 2016, Afghanistan

Special Forces

A native of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Staff Sergeant Matthew V. Thompson died of wounds received on 23 August 2016 from an improvised explosive device while on patrol in Helmand Province, Afghanistan, in support of Operation FREEDOM’S SENTINEL.

Thompson enlisted in the Army as a Special Forces Candidate in March 2011. After completing Basic Combat Training, Advanced Individual Training, and the Basic Airborne Course at Fort Benning, Georgia, he reported to Fort Bragg, North Carolina, to attend Special Forces Assessment and Selection and the Special Forces Qualification Course.

SSG Thompson graduated from the Special Forces Qualification Course as a Special Forces Medical Sergeant in August 2014 and was assigned to Company A, 3rd Battalion, 1st Special Forces Group, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington. Having previously served in Iraq during Operation INHERENT RESOLVE, this was his first deployment to Afghanistan.