Chief Warrant Officer Three Thomas J. Gibbons was born on 23 December 1971 in Cheverly, Maryland. He was one of four crewmembers who died on 30 January 2003 when their MH-60L Black Hawk helicopter, #185, crashed near Bagram, Afghanistan, while conducting aerial gunnery training in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM.

CW3 Gibbons volunteered for service in the U.S. Army in 1989 when he enlisted as an Infantryman. After six years of enlisted service, he was selected to attend the Warrant Officer Candidate Flight School at Fort Rucker, Alabama. Upon graduation in 1997, he was assigned to Fort Campbell, Kentucky, where he served as a UH-60 Black Hawk Pilot for three years with 6th Battalion, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault). CW3 Gibbons was then assigned for one year to Palmerola, Honduras, as a UH-60 Black Hawk Pilot. After Hondurous, he was again assigned to Fort Campbell, where he began his distinguished career as a Night Stalker in Delta Company, 1st Battalion, 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne). With the Hooter Brothers, he served as a MH-60L Black Hawk DAP and Assault Basic Mission Qualified Pilot. CW3 Gibbons flew over 1090 hours and 311 night vision goggle hours. He was a veteran of Operations DESERT SHIELD and DESERT STORM.

CW3 Gibbons graduated from North Central Institute in Clarksville, Tennessee, with an Associate degree in Aeronautical Studies. CW3 Gibbons was a graduate of the Army Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape Course (SERE), and the Aviation Maintenance Management Course.

CW3 Gibbons’ awards and decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal (w/1 OLC), Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal (w/1 OLC), Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal (w/Bronze Service Star), Southwest Asia Service Medal (w/2 Bronze Service Stars), Humanitarian Service Medal, Non-Commissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon (w/Numeral 2), Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon (2nd Award), Saudi Arabia Medal, Kuwaiti Liberation Medal, Combat Infantry Badge, Aviator Badge, Ranger Tab, Senior Parachutist Badge, Air Assault Badge, and Pathfinder Badge. He was posthumously awarded the Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star Medal and the Air Medal.

CW3 Gibbons is survived by his wife, Kelly; daughters, Lauren and Emily; father, Michael; mother, Linda; and brothers, Michael and Bobby. He is laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery, Section 66, Site 7317. The Special Operations Aviation Green Platoon Training Area at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, is dedicated in honor of the fallen crewmembers of Aircraft Tail #185.