Staff Sgt. Adam S. Thomas is a native of Lyon County, Minnesota. He enlisted in the Army in April, 2008 at the age of 22 as an 11B Infantryman. He completed both Basic Training and Advanced Individual Training at Fort Benning, Georgia. He was at the rank of Specialist when he was assigned to 3rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg, North Carolina where he served as a Rifleman, Sniper, and Scout Squad Leader. He excelled in Soldiering and Leadership during his years with the 82nd and quickly attained the rank of Staff Sergeant. He deployed twice with the 82nd as an Infantryman, a 12-month deployment in 2008-2009 to Iraq, and a 9-month deployment in 2011-2012 to Afghanistan.
In 2012, Thomas successfully completed the U.S. Army’s Special Forces Assessment and Selection Course. He graduated the Special Forces Qualification Course in October, 2015 and was assigned as an 18D Medical Sergeant to 10th SFG (A) in February, 2016. He deployed with 2nd Battalion, 10th SFG (A) to Afghanistan in support of Operation Freedom’s Sentinel June 19, 2016.
Staff Sgt. Thomas’ military education and advanced skills training include: Modern Army Combatives Level I, Basic Airborne Course, Ranger School, Special Forces Sniper Course Level II, Warrior Leader Course, Special Operations Combat Medic Course, Advanced Leader Course, Special Forces Qualification Course, Survival Evasion Resistance and Escape (SERE) Course, and Basic Military Freefall Parachutist Course.
Staff Sgt. Thomas’ awards and decorations include: Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart Medal, four Army Commendation Medals, three Army Achievement Medals, two Meritorious Unit Citations, two Army Good Conduct Medals, National Defense Service Medal, Iraqi Campaign Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon 2, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon 3, NATO Medal 2, Special Forces Tab, Ranger Tab, Combat Infantryman Badge, Expert Infantryman Badge, Parachutist Badge, Military Freefall Parachutist Badge, and Marksmanship Qualification Badge Expert with Carbine.
He was married for almost seven years to the former Mackenzie Megan Hale of Fayetteville, North Carolina.
In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be sent to the Special Operations Warrior Foundation, http://www.specialops.org.
A visitation will be held from 10:00-11:00 a.m. on Saturday, October 15, 2016 at Shrine of Remembrance “America the Beautiful” Chapel, 1730 East Fountain Boulevard, with a funeral service to follow at 11:00 a.m. A light luncheon reception will follow at the Olympian Plaza Reception and Event Center, 975 South Union Boulevard.