Thomas John Valentine

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Valentine, Thomas John U.S. Navy Sr. Chief SEAL Operator (SOCS) Thomas John Valentine, 37, died Feb. 13, 2008, in Casa Grande, Ariz. He was born in International Falls, Minn., and grew up in Ham Lake, Minn., before settling in Hampton Roads after graduating from SEAL basic training and advanced courses in November 1990. He was a member of the highly selective Naval Special Warfare Development Group based at Dam Neck Annex in Virginia Beach, which evaluates and develops tactics and tests equipment for Navy and other military special forces. He was deployed several times to the Middle East and various locations around the world, earning a Silver Star, three Bronze Stars with "V" for valor, two joint Service Commendation Medals and three Navy and Marine Corps Commendation medals, among other decorations. Tommy was an extremely talented operator who loved his family and his job. He is survived by his loving wife, Christina Valentine and their children John and Meghan; his parents, Jack and Katie Valentine; his brother, Tim Valentine; and sister, Susie Valentine. A memorial service will be held Friday, March 14th at 3 p.m., with a visitation starting at 2 p.m. at The Catholic Church of St. Paul in Ham Lake, Minn. with a reception immediately following. There will be a memorial service held in International Falls, Minn., at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church on Saturday, March 29th at 10 a.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be sent to the Thomas J. Valentine Memorial Fund, Navy Federal Credit Union, P.O. Box 3100, Merrifield, VA 22119-3100.

Published on March 9, 2008