Photos

Army Staff Sgt. Jacob Thompson was a North Mankato native and West High School graduate who was serving his second term in Iraq. Thompson was killed by an explosion Monday morning while searching a house in Baqubah.
Submitted photo / The Free Press

Staff Sgt. Jacob Thompson was photographed in January by a journalist who had been embedded with his unit in Iraq. He was leading his unit on a series of house-to-house searches when he and two others were killed by a bomb blast Monday morning, said his father, Charlie Thompson.
Submitted photo / The Free Press

After spending a full day and night notifying family and friends about the death of their son, 26-year-old Staff Sgt. Jacob Thompson, Charlie and Barb Thompson stoically faced cameras and reporters at their North Mankato home Tuesday. Both said their son died doing a job he enjoyed.
John Cross / The Free Press