The Patriot Files Forums - 28-Year-Old US Army Soldier From Michigan Dies In Noncombat Incident In Syria

Pentagon identifies US soldier who died in Syria
BY: Jerry Dunleavy - Washington Examiner 4/30/19
RE: https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/n...-died-in-syria

Late Monday night, the Department of Defense identified Pfc. Michael Thomason, 28, as the U.S. soldier who died in Syria on April 29.

Thomason, a member of the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), was serving in Syria in support of Operation Inherent Resolve, the U.S.-led mission aimed at defeating the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria, on his first deployment since enlisting in December 2017.

The military says that Thomason died of wounds suffered in a noncombat incident, which Lt. Col. Martin L. O'Donnell, a spokesman for the 101st Airborne Division, said remains under investigation.

Thomason died in Kobani, a city in northern Syria that had faced an onslaught by ISIS in late 2014 and early 2015. A native of Lincoln Park, Mich., Thomason was an infantryman based out of Fort Campbell, Ky.

Abby Martinez, Thomason's youngest sister, told Fox Detroit that she'd talked with her brother late last week. "He seemed like he was happy. He was asking about my parents, my kids, his kids, how's everyone over here."

Late Sunday night, Martinez said that members of the Army showed up at her parents' house to inform them that her brother had died in a noncombat-related shooting while on patrol and with security.

"If he was supposed to be highly protected, how did this happen to my brother?" she said.

Martinez said her brother had joined the Army to help people. "I'm proud to say he's a hero,” she said.

Thomason had said “I’m doing this because I want to protect my country. I want to protect people who can't protect themselves," Martinez said.

Col. Derek Thomson, the commander for the 1st Brigade Combat Team of 101st Airborne Division, Air Assault, said: “The entire Bastogne brigade is heartbroken over Michael's loss. He lived a warrior's life, and he died in the service of his country. Michael's memory will live on as part of the legacy of the 101st Airborne Division, as will our commitment to his family and to our mission.”

Thomason was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 327th Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division, and had been promoted to the rank of private first class in December 2018.

A vigil for Thomason is being held Tuesday evening in the southwest Detroit neighborhood where he grew up.

Thomason’s death is the fourth non-combat-related death among U.S. service members deployed overseas in less than two weeks.

Spc. Michael Osorio, 20, of Horseshoe Bend, Idaho died in Taji, Iraq, on April 23.

Spc. Ryan Riley, 22, of Richmond, Ky. died in Ninawa Province, Iraq, on April 20.

Staff Sgt. Albert Miller, 24, of Richmond, N.H., died in at Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar on April 19.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
In behalf of the Patriot Files Family we send our Respects to the Family and Friends of those fallen soldiers. There service to their country will not be forgotten.

Boats