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#1
24 August 2010, 17:44
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SOC Collin T. Thomas
It is with great sadness that the UDT-SEAL Association informs its
membership about the passing of SOC Collin T. Thomas, USN, SEAL - Class 219 on August 18, 2010 SOC Collin T. Thomas, USN, SEAL- Class 219 Chief Special Warfare Operator Collin Trent Thomas, 33, a distinguished and highly decorated combat veteran, was fatally shot during combat operations in eastern Afghanistan. Thomas was forward deployed to Afghanistan as part of an East Coast based Navy SEAL Team. "Collin Thomas was a brave American patriot and an incredibly gifted Navy SEAL. His tireless professionalism, inspiring passion for life, and humble demeanor made him a role model for all who knew him. We are deeply saddened by this tremendous loss of a brother in arms," said a senior officer in his command. "Our hearts and prayers go out to the Thomas family during this very difficult time, and we will never forget the ultimate sacrifice that Collin made while protecting our nation and his teammates." Thomas, a native of Morehead, Kentucky, graduated from Rowan County High School in 1995. Following high school, Thomas attended Morehead State University. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy on February 20, 1997. Thomas' military career began when he reported to Recruit Training Command at Great Lakes, Illinois. After completing basic training, Thomas remained at the Great Lakes training center for technical instruction before reporting to Coronado, California to participate in Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL training. BUD/S is the first step in becoming a Navy SEAL and is six months of some of the most demanding training in the U.S. military. Upon graduation from BUD/S, Thomas was assigned to his first SEAL team where he participated in numerous joint exercises and developed his skills as a Special Warfare Operator. Thomas was a highly-decorated combat veteran and received numerous awards and citations during his 13-year Navy career, including two Bronze Star Medals with combat "V" distinguishing device; a Purple Heart; a Joint Service Commendation Medal with combat "V" distinguishing device; a Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal; Six Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medals; Two Combat Action Ribbons (Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom); Four Good Conduct Medals; the National Defense Service Medal; Afghanistan Campaign Medal with two campaign stars; Iraq Campaign Medal; Marksmanship medals with "expert" service device for both rifle and pistol, and a multitude of personal, unit, and campaign decorations. Thomas is survived by his loving parents Clayton and Paula, who live in Hertford, North Carolina, his sister Meghan of Morehead, Kentucky, and his fiancée Sarah Saunders of Virginia Beach, Virginia. Services in Virginia are as follows: Visitation for family and friends will be held On Wednesday, 25 August 4pm-9pm at: Holloman and Brown Funeral Home 3600 Virginia Beach Blvd 583-0177 A Memorial Service will be held on Thursday, 26 August at: JEB Little Creek Base Theatre Services in Kentucky are as follows: Saturday, 28 August from 1pm-4pm: Visitation Morehead State University Athletic Center 150 University BLVD Morehead, KY 40351 Funeral: At the completion of the visitation at Morehead State University Internment Service: Immediately following funeral service. Forest Lawn Memorial Garden 2835 Flemingsburg Rd. Morehead, KY 40351 
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