TO SAVE HIS TEAM, THOMAS CHARGED THE ENEMY TRENCH ALONE
On August 18, 2010, Navy SEAL CPO Collin T. Thomas led a reconnaissance mission at an undisclosed location in Afghanistan, prompted by several fighters that had been spotted nearby.
The SEALs took fire from a treeline east of the objective the moment they arrived. The team engaged the fighters but soon took losses heavy enough to stop any further advance. The enemy was firing from several elevated positions and had the upper hand for the moment. Thomas, serving as assistant squad leader, saw how bad the situation was and led his men in a flanking move to turn it around. When he spotted an insurgent in a long trench near the treeline during that move, he was the first man into the roughly 1.8-meter-deep ditch and worked his way toward the enemy positions through their fire.
He reached the insurgent a short time later and got into a violent exchange of fire with him. With the enemy tied up, the team was able to follow and close on Thomas. They found him dead in the trench, his spent casings around him and the enemy fighter he had taken out shortly before his own death.
His aggressive push that day saved the lives of his comrades, who drove the enemy off and were able to continue the mission. He was awarded the Silver Star for his actions, having already earned the Bronze Star twice in earlier engagements. Collin Thomas had served 13 years with the SEALs. He left behind a fiancée.
Author’s note: if you like our articles, you can support us with a purchase in our shop (click here). We’re grateful for every bit of support!