SGM Roger Scott Thompson US Army

Sergeant Major Roger S. Thompson, 48, of Niceville, Florida, an Army Special Forces Soldier for 26 years, died Friday, Jan. 1, 2016, in Houston, Texas, after a struggle with illness. He passed peacefully with his family at his side.

He was the husband of Stephanie A. Thompson and father of Mackenzie Thompson of Niceville. He was the son of Robert and Jackie Thompson, and brother of Kristen Martin, San Diego, California. He leaves a brother-in-law, John F. Ranciato, and his wife, Donna Williams Ranciato, in Connecticut. He is survived by an aunt, and several cousins.

Roger was a Special Forces Sergeant Major; his last assignment was the Company Sergeant Major of Charlie Company, Third Battalion (C/3/7). While battling his illness he then went on to be the Third Battalion’s Operation’s Sergeant Major (S3). He was assigned to the Third Battalion, 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne) based in Eglin Air Force Base, Florida.

Roger was a lifelong resident of San Diego. He entered the Army in 1987 as an infantryman where he served as a Senior Scout Observer, after a two year break in service SGM Thompson re-entered the Army in 1993 where he attended Airborne school and served with distinction as a scout observer and assistant team leader in the XVIII Airborne Corps, Long Range Surveillance Company (LRSC). In 1996, SGM Thompson PCS’d to Fort Greely, Alaska, to the coveted Northern Warfare Training Center where he served as a mountaineering instructor. The following year, he attended the Special Forces Qualification Course and upon graduation (1998) was assigned to B Company 2nd Battalion, 7th Special Forces Group. SGM Thompson served with distinction and deployed on numerous operations to South America and several combat deployments.

SGM Thompson’s military education is extensive, highlights are: Airborne; Air Assault; Mountain Leaders; Pathfinder; Long Range Surveillance Leaders Course; SF Assessment and Selection; SF Q Course; SFAUCC; USASOC Mountaineering and Rescue Master Trainer; Intelligence; Advanced Reconnaissance Target Analysis Exploitation (SFARTAEC); Military Free Fall; and Advanced Special Ops Techniques Course (ASOT).

He earned a Bachelor’s Degree with honors from American Military University in Business Management.

Highpoints of Roger’s military awards and decorations include: the Bronze Star Medal; Defense Meritorious Service Medal; Meritorious Service Medal (3 OLC); the Joint Service Commendation Medal (2 OLC); the Joint Service Achieve Medal (2 OLC); The Army Commendation Medal (6 OLC); Army Achievement Medal (6 OLC); GWOT Service Medal, GWOT Expeditionary Medal, Afghan Campaign Medal, Army Expeditionary Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal; Good Conduct Medal (8th Award); National Defense Service Medal (2nd); Overseas Service Ribbon (2); NATO Service Medal; the Meritorious Unit Commendation; and the Army Superior Unit Award.

SGM Thompson earned various badges, highlights include: the Combat Infantryman’s Badge; Expert Infantryman’s Badge; Special Forces Tab; Military Free Fall Badge; Air Assault Badge; Pathfinder Badge; and the Senior Parachutist Badge.

SGM Thompson resided in Niceville with his wife, Stephanie; his 8-year-old daughter, Mackenzie; and his mother-in-law, Kathy Ranciato.

A Visitation will be held at Murphy Funeral Home, 4510 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington, VA, on Sunday, April 17, from 4-6 PM. A Funeral Service with Full Military Honors will be held at 10:45 AM, on Monday, April 18, at Fort Myer Old Post Chapel. SGM Thompson’s final resting point will be at the Arlington National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to SGM Thompson’s daughter, Mackenzie, C/O Eglin Federal C/U, 4558 Highway 20, Niceville, FL 32578, or to the Green Beret Foundation, 14402 Blanco Road, Ste 101 San Antonio, TX 78216.

Arrangements under the direction of Murphy Funeral Homes, Arlington, VA.