SCPO Thomas Arthur Ratzlaff

Description:

Special Warfare Operator Senior Chief Thomas Arthur Ratzlaff was on his 12th deployment in support of the War on Terror when he was killed.  A coalition CH-47 Chinook helicopter crashed in Afghanistan on assigned to Naval Special Warfare Development Group, he was 34 years of age.

Senior Chief Ratzlaff was born November 3, 1976 in Harrison, AR. and graduated from Green Forest High Schoo in 1995.  He immediately enlisted in the U.S. Navy and completed SEAL training in 1998.  This was his life dream to be a Navy SEAL.  Thomas was the only non-Canadian to ever receive the Star of Military Valor, Canada's second highest military award of valor.

More Info:

Special Warfares Operator Senior Chief Thomas Arthur Ratzlaff of Green Forest, Arkansas, Deceased, Killed in Action,  Navy Seals. Ratzlaff's awards includes four (4) Bronze Star Medals with 'V' Device, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Navy/Marine Crops Commendation Medal, and the Navy/Marine Corps Achievement Medals, two (2) awards.

  Postumous decorations include a fifth (5th) Bronze Star with 'V' Device, Defense Meritorius Service Medal, and the Purple Heart. Ratzlaff was the only non-Canadian to recieve the Star of Military Valor, Canada's second hightest military award for Valor.