WO1 Shawn Thomas; RIP
A Special Forces warrant officer has died from injuries he suffered in a vehicle accident while serving in Africa, a U.S. Army Special Operations Command spokesman confirmed to Army Times on Thursday.
Warrant Officer 1 Shawn Thomas, of 1st Battalion, 3rd Special Forces Group, died Feb. 2, Lt. Col. Robert Bockholt confirmed. His death was first reported by U.S. Army W.T.F.! Moments.
“Our deepest condolences go out to Warrant Officer Thomas’ family, friends and colleagues,” 3rd Special Forces Group officials said in a statement.
Officials couldn’t specify the type of vehicle or any other details of the accident because of the ongoing investigation, said Sgt. 1st Class Victor Aguirre, a USASOC spokesman.
Thomas and members of his unit are part of a contingent of soldiers, both civil affairs and Special Forces, deployed to central Africa to train local troops and support the local population in countering the spread of terrorist groups.
“SF teams are advising members of the Nigerien Armed Forces who are conducting counter-Boko Haram operations to bring stability to the Lake Chad Basin region,” Aguirre said.
Thomas, 35, enlisted in July 2000 as a networking switching systems operator, according to his bio. He joined the Fort Bragg, North Carolina-based 3rd Special Forces Group in 2008 following the Special Forces Assessment and Selection Course. He went warrant officer in 2016.
The Oklahoma native deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan a combined seven times, according to his bio. His awards and decorations include two Bronze Stars, four Good Conduct Medals and various decorations for service abroad.
He was posthumously awarded a Meritorious Service Medal and Army Commendation Medal for his work in Niger, according to his bio.
He is survived by his wife and four children.
Shawn Thomas is a hero. Posers and embellishers alike should be forced to watch videos like this repeatedly. Everyone wants to be a hero, except die like one.
Rest easy Brother, you have earned it.
Army: Green Beret dies in non-combat accident in Niger
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Heartbreaking video captures fallen soldier’s homecoming
Category: Army News
Fair winds and following seas, Warrant Officer Thomas.
God rest you well WO1 Thomas. God be with your family now.
God comfort your family and friends during this difficult time, sir.
And rest easy. You’ve earned it.
Rest in Peace, Brother.
RIP Brother.
Rest well, Brother.
RIP WO1 Shawn Thomas…condolences to his family, friends and brothers in arms.
SALUTE
Why aren’t service members killed in the line of duty supporting the GWOT in Africa afforded the same recognition via a DOD Press Release as those who are killed in the line of duty in CENTCOM?
I was also curious about the lack of recognition as well. There were a few articles within the Fox Network and one on the Army Times.
I recognize you from /r/army
Rest in Eternal Peace WO1 Thomas.
Prayers and thanks to WO1 Thomas. God bless his wife and children.
Have mercy, O Lord. Another fine young man has come home in a flag draped box. A new widow weeping with her children. Comfort them in their grief and be her strength in the difficult time ahead, I ask. Amen.
Rest now, my Brother. I’ll see you in a while.
^^^^ WORD ^^^^^^
Well said OS54
Thank You Sir for our Freedoms. May your family find some comfort in knowing we are greatly saddened by your untimely passing. R.I.P.