U.S. Army
SFC Kenneth E Thompson was born in Utulei, American Samoa on February 23, 1964. He graduated from The Wallace Rider Farrington High School in Honolulu, Hawaii in June 1982 and entered the United States Army on September, 1982. He graduated from Basic Training and Advanced Individual Training (AIT) at Fort Benning, Georgia as Infantrymen (11B).

SFC Thompson’s career started with a Cohort Unit that was assigned to the 2/23 IN in Ft. Lewis Wa. The entire unit deployed to Camp Hovey, Korea as the 1/23 INF in 1984 for a 1 year tour. His next tour was Ft. Ord, CA with 5/21 INF from 1986-89, Ft. Bragg, NC with the 2/504 PIR from 1990-92, Ft. Myers, VA with the 3rd US INF Regt, The OLD GUARD from 1993-95, Ft. Leonard Wood, MO as a drill Sgt. from 1995-98, Camp Casey, Korea with the 1/503 INF from 1998-99, Ft. Lewis, WA with 1/5th INF as a PSG and USAG as an EO Advisor from 1999-2002, and at Ft. Shafter, HI with the 196th INF from 2002-2005. He retired in May of 2005 and moved to American Samoa and worked as a JROTC instructor at Samoana High School for 19 months.

SFC Thompson’s awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (2OLC), Army Commendation Medal (1SOLC, 1OLC), Army Achievement Medal (1SOLC, 2OCL), Good Conduct medal ( 7th Award), National Defense Service Medal (with Bronze Star), Southwest Asia Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Korean Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Service Medal, NCO Professional Development Ribbon (with Numeral 3), Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon (Numeral 2), Multinational Forces and Observers ribbon, Kuwait Liberation Medal (Saudi Arabia), Kuwait Liberation Medal (Kuwait), Combat Infantry Badge, Expert Infantry Badge, Parachutist Badge, Air Assault Badge, Drill Sergeant Badge, The Guard Tomb of the Unknown Soldier Identification Badge, and the German Proficiency Badge (Gold)

SFC Thompson’s military education includes the Primary Non-Commissioned Officers Course, the Basic Noncommissioned Officers Course, the Advanced Non Commissioned Officers Course, Airborne School, Jump Master Course, Air Assault School, Drill Sergeant School, Master Driver Course, Battle Staff Course, Defense Equal Opportunity Management Institute, EEO Counselors Course, EEO Special Project Management Course, Mediation Course, and the Master Facilitator Course. He is currently perusing his AA degree in Pre-Law at ASCC than work towards a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science.

E-mail: kenneth.thompson5@us.army.mil