This doesn’t follow the format of these releases. Usually there’s a determination that a death was or wasn’t combat-related. But Cpl. Thompson is said to have died of "a gunshot wound," with no elaboration. I don’t know if the Pentagon suspects he was murdered or took his own life or what.

IMMEDIATE RELEASE No. 104-09

February 17, 2009

DoD Identifies Army Casualty

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Cpl. Stephen S. Thompson, 23, of Tulsa, Okla., died Feb. 14 in Baghdad of injuries sustained from a gunshot wound.

He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 22nd Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Fort Hood, Texas. Thompson’s death is under investigation.

For more information media may contact the Fort Hood public affairs office at (254) 287-9993; after hours (254) 287-2520.