Kelly Thompson

Desert Shield, Desert Storm, Operation Iraqi Freedom

Kelly Thompson served his country as a member of the United States Marine Corps during Operation Desert Shield / Storm.  As a member of the 1st Battalion, 5th Marines, he served during Operation Iraqi Freedom.

The 1st Battalion, 5th Marines (1/5) played a prominent role during Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF), especially in the opening phases of the war in 2003. As part of Regimental Combat Team 5, 1/5 spearheaded the advance into Iraq, crossing the Kuwaiti border in March and pushing rapidly toward Baghdad. They were heavily engaged in clearing operations through southern Iraq, fighting in towns such as Al Aziziyah and engaging in sustained urban combat as coalition forces closed in on the Iraqi capital. Their aggressive advance helped secure key lines of communication and contributed to the eventual fall of Baghdad in April 2003.

Following the initial invasion, 1/5 remained active in Iraq during later rotations. They conducted stability and counterinsurgency operations, working to secure restive areas, train Iraqi security forces, and protect the civilian population. Their deployments often placed them in the thick of the fighting in contested areas like Anbar Province, where Marines faced determined insurgent resistance. Throughout OIF, the battalion earned a reputation for discipline, effectiveness in combat, and the ability to adapt from high-intensity assaults to complex counterinsurgency missions.