Gold Star Story - Will Thompson

SSG William Thompson served 23 years with the U.S. Army and WVARNG. Deploying twice to Iraq.

Stationed at Camp Stryker on the Victory Complex, his symptoms started with frequent coughing while still in Iraq, which doctors treated as allergies.

Upon returning to Fort Stewart, he was found to have bilateral pneumonia. Following up one week later it was found he had pulmonary fibrosis with pulmonary nodules. He had the lungs of an 80 year old coal miner. Admitted to WRAMC, he was tested for 6 months to include an open lung biopsy and informed he had titanium, magnesium, iron and silica in his lungs.

Will was diagnosed with Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis with Pulmonary fibrosis. Denied additional benefits because his disease didn’t fit the parameters and were not classified as combat related, he became a staunch advocate for The PACT ACT.

He passed away December 2021. He is survived by his wife and two children.