BROOKFIELD, WI U.S.A.
U.S. ARMY
SSG, CO A, 3RD BN, 1ST SPECIAL FORCES GROUP, JBLM, WA
08/23/2016, CHIANJIR VILLAGE, AFGHANISTAN
SSG Mathew Vail “Tito” Thompson, 28, was born June 22, 1988 in St Louis Park, MN.
He graduated in 2006 from Brookfield Central High School. He was the captain of the football team and played trombone in the school ensembles.
Matthew Thompson attended Marquette University in Milwaukee- where he was a beloved resident assistant. “There was something very pure and authentic about him that people just wanted to be around him and they wanted to have whatever it is that he had that sort of radiated from inside out,” Matthew Manning said of his friend.
SSG Thompson transferred to Concordia University in California- graduating in 2010.
“He wanted to push himself as much as he could and in order to live according to the values that he had and his vision for the world,” Matthew Manning explained.
Matthew Thompson enlisted in the U.S. Army in March 2011 as a Special Forces Candidate. Upon completion of Army Basic Combat and Advanced Individual Training, Basic Airborne Course, Special Forces Assessment and Selection and the Special Forces Qualification Course, he reported to 1st Special Forces Group as a Special Forces medical sergeant in August 2014.
In a statement, the commander of the Special Operations Task Force-Afghanistan said SSG Thompson was “an exceptional Green Beret, a cherished teammate and devoted husband. His service in Afghanistan and Iraq speak to his level of dedication, courage and commitment to something greater than himself.”
Those who knew him well say Thompson was one-of-a-kind.
“I can’t think of anyone that was as committed to living the best version of their life possible, every day. He was a remarkable human being and he will never be replaced,” Matthew Manning said.
Matthew Thompson was a Green Beret and medic in the Army Special Forces. SSG Thompson was one of about 700 U.S. personnel in Helmand Provine who are there to help the Afghan army and police forces repel new advances by the Taliban to take key cities in the region. He was killed in action during a mission in Afghanistan on the morning of August 23rd.
Matt is survived by his wife Rachel, his parents Mark and Lynda, and his sisters Karen and Robyn.
They are comforted by the promise of their Savior, Jesus Christ: “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies” (John 11:25).
“Ad majorem Dei gloriam” (All for the greater glory of God)