NORTH MANKATO, MN, USA U.S. Army SSG, COMPANY B, 1ST BATTALION, 23D INFANTRY, FORT LEWIS, WA BAQUBAH, IRAQ 08/06/2007
“Jacob was as fine a young man you would ever meet. I’m proud to have served with him.”
Jacob earned many medals during his two tours in Iraq. Those medals include a Purple Heart, two Army Commendation medals, two Army Achievement medals, two Army Good Conduct medals, a National Defense Service medal, a Global War on Terrorism Service medal, and the Expert Infantryman badge.
SSG Thompson was a two-tour veteran. On his left leg he sported three tattoos-three helmets, each with the name of a friend who had been killed during the war. He earned a Purple Heart but gave the medal to a friend who had received more serious injuries but hadn’t been chosen for the award.
He was based out of Fort Lewis, Washington.
Jacob was a member of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Mankato. He enjoyed fishing, target shooting, and especially time spent with his family and friends.
Jacob was killed by an IED while searching houses with a team of soldiers working with a Stryker unit in Baqubah, Iraq on August 6th, 2007. Two other soldiers were killed in the same explosion. He was 26 years old.
Jacob is survived by his father, Charlie, his mother, Barb, his brother Jon (Robyn), his brother Jason (Sande), nieces and nephews, and many other loving family members and friends.