Army Cpl. Thompson was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 149th Aviation Regiment, Task Force 34, Oklahoma National Guard, Lexington, Oklahoma. He died when the CH-47 Chinook helicopter he was in went down in the vicinity of Tallil. Michael moved to Buncombe Creek/Kingston, Oklahoma area in 1993 where he graduated from Kingston High School in 2003. In 2004, he enlisted in the Army and after leaving active duty he joined the Oklahoma Army National Guard in 2007. During one drill weekend, he heard that the deploying units were looking for volunteer qualified open-door gunners. Because he was qualified from his active duty in the military, he said, "Hell, I'll go back for a year" and he did because he wanted to help out. Michael was happiest when out hunting or fishing and had a very giving nature. He never met a stranger and would give anyone the shirt off his back or his last dollar. One story stands out about his being an all-American boy – fun loving and easy going. At approximately 2:30 one morning Michael and a fellow soldier were on guard duty on top of a bunker. They were talking about home, hunting and music – he loved music. Suddenly, Michael began singing Waylon Jennings at the top of his lungs. Lights started coming on in the neighborhood below and the Iraqis were coming out and saying, "Mister, please (stop)". Michael looked at his fellow soldier and said, "Sgt Friend, I don't think they know Waylon Jennings", and for the next four hours he sang his heart out.
Army Cpl. Thompson was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 149th Aviation Regiment, Task Force 34, Oklahoma National Guard, Lexington, Oklahoma. He died when the CH-47 Chinook helicopter he was in went down in the vicinity of Tallil. Michael moved to Buncombe Creek/Kingston, Oklahoma area in 1993 where he graduated from Kingston High School in 2003. In 2004, he enlisted in the Army and after leaving active duty he joined the Oklahoma Army National Guard in 2007. During one drill weekend, he heard that the deploying units were looking for volunteer qualified open-door gunners. Because he was qualified from his active duty in the military, he said, "Hell, I'll go back for a year" and he did because he wanted to help out. Michael was happiest when out hunting or fishing and had a very giving nature. He never met a stranger and would give anyone the shirt off his back or his last dollar. One story stands out about his being an all-American boy – fun loving and easy going. At approximately 2:30 one morning Michael and a fellow soldier were on guard duty on top of a bunker. They were talking about home, hunting and music – he loved music. Suddenly, Michael began singing Waylon Jennings at the top of his lungs. Lights started coming on in the neighborhood below and the Iraqis were coming out and saying, "Mister, please (stop)". Michael looked at his fellow soldier and said, "Sgt Friend, I don't think they know Waylon Jennings", and for the next four hours he sang his heart out.
Inscription
MICHAEL EYRE THOMPSON
CPL US ARMY
IRAQ
MAY 5 1985 + SEP 17 2008
OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM
Gravesite Details
IRAQ
