Matt Thompson's late mother, Susan, collected more than 100 boxes of supplies for him to distribute to Iraqi children during his first tour. IVAN SEKRETAREV/ASSOCIATED PRESS View More Images from this story Visit the Photo Place

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Good to be back home Officer headed to VMI after fourth combat tour

Stafford County native Matt Thompson reflects on four combat tours in four years and his strong religious beliefs

Date published: 4/21/2006

By CATHY DYSON

CAPT. MATT THOMPSON is both a man of faith and a soldier trained to carry out deadly duties.

In some ways, the different parts work in harmony.

The Stafford County native's strong beliefs have helped him survive four combat tours in four years. He spent a total of 18 months in Iraq and 10 months in Afghanistan, rooting out terrorists in caves and dark alleys.

Before that, his principles guided him through some rough days at Virginia Military Institute. In 2002, Thompson was regimental commander--the top student at the military academy in Lexington--and he had to iron out issues between fellow cadets and administrators.

His faith also helped him deal with the 2004 death of his mother, who Thompson said was the strongest woman he ever knew.

But the same convictions that define the 26-year-old off the battlefield don't have any place in guerrilla warfare.

That's why, the Army Ranger says, he separates himself when he goes on a mission, the way a person tears a ticket in two.

He quotes from the military novel "Gates of Fire," about an epic battle in ancient Greece. Author Steven Pressfield describes the way a warrior leaves behind the caring, compassionate part of himself. He sees his opponent not as a fellow human like himself but as the enemy and nothing more.

When his duty is done, he puts the two sides together again.

And that's about as much as the captain can say.

During his last three tours, he was assigned to the 2nd Ranger Battalion from Fort Lewis, Wash. The 700 soldiers in the elite unit are handpicked and available for action, anywhere in the world, within 18 hours. Their missions are classified.

Thompson stands out, even in that group, said Capt. Wade Bovard, company commander.

"Matt is simply the best officer in my company of hand-selected officers from across the Army," Bovard wrote in Thompson's evaluation report in September 2005. "Matt's support of the company was second to none, and he personally ensured that all required supplies and equipment were in position to support an amazing 155 missions in 90 days."

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Date published: 4/21/2006