Army Capt. David J. Thompson

Died January 29, 2010 Serving During Operation Enduring Freedom

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39, of Hooker, Okla.; assigned to the 3rd Battalion 3rd Special Forces Group, Fort Bragg, N.C.; died Jan. 29 at FOB Nunez, Afghanistan, of injuries sustained while supporting combat operations.

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Served in Army, Guard for 21 years

The Associated Press

David J. Thompson was a compassionate, understanding man who had a heartwarming laugh and had wanted to be a soldier since he was a youngster, according to notes left by friends in an online memorial.

Many referred to him as John Paul or simply “J.P.” Douglas Jenison of Ohio called him “one of the greatest men I ever knew and served with.”

Thompson, 39, of Hooker, Okla., was killed Jan. 29 in Wardak province, Afghanistan. The Army said only that he died of injuries from an incident that is under investigation. He was assigned to Fort Bragg, N.C., and was on his second deployment to Afghanistan.

He enlisted in the Army in 1989, beginning a career that would take him from South Carolina to Alaska and included humanitarian aid deployments with the North Carolina National Guard.

From 1999 to 2002, he served in the Guard and attended East Carolina University, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in chemistry. He was commissioned as a chemical officer.

Thompson lived near Fort Bragg with his wife, Emily, and daughters Isabelle and Abigail.

Survivors include his parents, Charles and Freida Thompson; and a sister, Alisha Mueller.