Editor’s note: This tribute is one in a series of reader-submitted tributes to Vietnam War-era veterans that will be posted during April. 

PFC GAIL WARD THOMSEN, U.S. ARMY

HOMETOWN: Kirkland

BRANCH: U.S. Army

YEARS OF SERVICE: 1967 (six months).

Killed by friendly fire on Nov. 7, 1967, 10 days after arriving in Quang Tin, Vietnam. 

HIGHEST RANK OR GRADE ATTAINED: Private First Class

SIGNIFICANT DUTY STATIONS OR DEPLOYMENTS DURING THE VIETNAM WAR: Deployed to Quang Tin, Vietnam.

POST-WAR CAREER: Posthumously awarded the Purple Heart.