Collin Trent Thomas
Chief Petty Officer, U.S. Navy

On 18 August 2010, Chief Petty Officer Collin Trent Thomas was serving as an Assistant Team Leader assigned to a Joint Task Force, while deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan.

On that date, CPO Thomas and his team were conducting a sensitive sight exploitation associated with known armed enemy fighters in the area of operation. Immediately after insertion, the assault force received effective fire from a tree line directly to their East. The force bounded toward the enemy and took multiple casualties on their Northern-most flank. Realizing the entrenched enemy had a superior fighting position; CPO Thomas broke cover and led his team on a flanking maneuver to support the Northern element that was engaged in heavy contact. As his team maneuvered, CPO Thomas observed an armed enemy fighter inside a 6-foot deep trench that ran the length of the tree line. CPO Thomas, identifying the threat that the enemy posed on the rest of his team, boldly charged and engaged the enemy while being fired upon by an automatic weapon. CPO Thomas eliminated the enemy, but was mortally wounded during the exchange of gunfire. CPO Thomas' actions directly saved the lives of his teammates. CPO Thomas' courage, bold leadership and dedication to duty that day earned him, at the cost of his life, the U.S. Navy's third highest award for valor, the Silver Star Medal.

Medals, Awards and Badges (Partial List)

Silver Star Medal
Bronze Star Medal with Valor Device and 2 Gold Stars
Purple Heart
Navy & Marine Corps Combat Action Ribbon
Navy Good Conduct Medal with Bronze Star
National Defense Service Medal
Afghanistan Campaign Medal
Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Sea Service Deployment Ribbon
Navy Expert Rifleman Medal
Navy Expert Pistol Shot Medal
NATO ISAF Medal
Special Warfare Insignia (SEAL)
Naval Parachutist Badge

Silver Star Medal Citation

The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Senior Chief Special Warfare Operator (SEAL) Collin Trent Thomas, United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy while serving as an Assistant Team Leader while assigned to a Joint Task Force in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM on 18 August 2010. Chief Petty Officer Thomas and his team were conducting a sensitive sight exploitation associated with known armed enemy fighters in the area of operation. Immediately after insertion, the assault force received effective fire from a tree line directly to their East. The force bounded toward the enemy and took multiple casualties on their Northern-most flank. Realizing the entrenched enemy had a superior fighting position; Chief Petty Officer Thomas broke cover and led his team on a flanking maneuver to support the Northern element who was engaged in heavy contact. As his team maneuvered, he observed an armed enemy fighter inside a six-foot deep trench that ran the length of the tree line. Chief Petty Officer Thomas, identifying the threat that the enemy posed on the rest of his team, boldly charged and engaged the enemy while being fired upon by an automatic weapon. He eliminated the enemy, but was mortally wounded during the exchange of gunfire. Chief Petty Officer Thomas' actions directly saved the lives of his teammates. By his bold leadership, courageous actions, and total devotion to duty, Chief Petty Officer Thomas reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

Burial

Chief Petty Officer Collin Trent Thomas is buried at Forest Lawn Memorial Gardens in Morehead, Rowan County, KY.

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/57369685/collin-trent-thomas