By ELAINE SILVESTRINI
The Tampa Tribune

Guest Book: Staff Sgt. Michael D. Thomas
Sgt. Peter Woodall

U.S. April Death Toll in Iraq Passes 100 | War Stories

TAMPA -  Two Bay area soldiers were killed on April 27 in Iraq and Afghanistan, the Army announced today.

Staff Sgt. Michael D. Thomas, 34, of Seffner died in Herat Province, Afghanistan and Sgt. Peter Woodall, 25, of Sarasota died in Al Anbar province, Iraq.

More than 100 troops have died in April which has been the deadliest month for American forces this year.

Staff Sgt. Michael D. Thomas, 34, a Seffner native and decorated Army Special Forces Soldier was killed in action in Herat Province in Afghanistan, the Army announced today.

Woodall was assigned to 8th Engineer Support Battalion, 2nd Marine Logistics Group, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C.

Thomas, a weapons sergeant assigned to 1st Battallion, 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne), died from wounds sustained when his unit made contact with enemy fighters using rocket propelled grenades and small arms fire while conducting combat patrol south of Shindand District, the military said.

Thomas, who enlisted in the Army in as a military police officer 1991, was assigned to Special Forces last year as a weapons sergeant. He deployed to Afghanistan as part of “Operation Enduring Freedom” in March.

After completing advanced individual training at Fort McClellan, Ala., he was assigned to Camp Casey, Korea.  During the next 13 years, he served in positions of increasing responsibility within the Military Police Corps, eventually becoming a squad leader.  In 2004, Thomas volunteered for Special Forces training and upon completion of the Special Forces Qualification Course in 2006, he was assigned to 7th SFG (A) as a Special Forces weapons sergeant. 

During his service, Thomas earned the following awards and decorations: the Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Korean Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, NCO Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, Parachutist Badge, and the Special Forces Tab.

Thomas is survived by his wife Teresa, son Craig, daughter Diana and granddaughter Alexis.  He is also survived by his mother Debbie Kirkpatrick and stepfather Bob Kirkpatrick of Thonotosassa.

 

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