Posted on 02/11/2017 1:17:59 AM PST by Brad from Tennessee
A warrant office in the United States Special Forces has died from injuries sustained in a vehicle accident while serving in Africa, according to official sources.
WO1 Shawn Thomas of 1st Battalion, 3rd Special Forces Group died on February 2, according to US Army Special Operations Command spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Robert Bockholt.
According to the Army Times, officials could not specify details of the accident, but said that SF troopers were conducting advising operations to counter Boko Haram in Niger and that the investigation is ongoing.
“Our deepest condolences go out to Warrant Officer Thomas’ family, friends and colleagues,” 3rd Special Forces Group officials said in a statement.
Thomas, 35 years of age at the time of his death, was originally a networking switching systems operator when he enlisted in July of 2000. He joined the North Carolina-based 3rd SFG in 2008 and became a warrant officer in 2016.
The Oklahoma native had seven combined deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan, earning two Bronze Stars and other decorations. He was posthumously awarded a Meritorious Service Medal and Army Commendation Medal following his death in Niger.
Thomas is survived by his wife and four children. . .
(Excerpt) Read more at popularmilitary.com ...
What a shame.
And we shouldn’t need to be sending our fighters to Africa.
The 3rd Group has had Africa since it started. I recall that some had been to Ethiopia in the early 60’s when I was in the 3rd in 67.There were all kinds of African art and African statute type art on desks. We had others taking language training of the biggest tribe.
Interesting.
I know we lose warfighters in training at home and of course nonmilitary folks die on and off the job all the time, but I somehow especially hate losing our military in places I hope we no longer need to have operations.
Boko haram is the ISIS of Africa they need to be destroyed.
Gen Ham who had ordered a reaction force to reinforce the embassy we lost and Obama and Clinton lied about was CG of Africa Command. Obama relieved him. Back in the early to mid 60’s the 3rd sent a detachment to train the Ethiopian emperor’s security force. We had a satellite go down there also. I recall towards the end of US involvement in Vietnam the 10th Group at Devens had DEMO men demine the Suez canal.
Prayers for his family.
RIP.
What are we doing there? Trying to make Africa great again?
Rest in peace,Sir.
The mission is not worth one American life!
RIP.
Oh my. RIP Soldier.
I may have met you.
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