Thomas F. Lorenson, 2004 Tahoma High School graduate and officer in the United States Army, has returned from a deployment to Afghanistan with a few more ribbons and medals than he had when he left.

Lorenson, who was a 1st Lieutenant during the deployment, led an infantry platoon in the Chora Valley of Uruzgan Province and later in the Dand District south of Kandahar. On completion of his yearlong tour, he was awarded the Combat Infantry Badge, the Bronze Star for Valor with Oak Leaf cluster, the Purple Heart, the Army Commendation Medal for Valor and was promoted to captain.

Lorenson was wounded in a grenade attack, suffering shrapnel wounds to his face, arm, and shoulder. He was hospitalized and returned to duty in late January. He was wounded again in an IED attack on his last patrol but has assured his family he has fully recovered.

He is presently stationed in Vilseck, Germany serving with the Army 1st Squadron/2nd Stryker Calvary Regiment.

The primary mission of 3rd Platoon was to stop Taliban infiltration in this mountainous and remote region. The unit had a 25 percent casualty rate.

Lorenson was born and raised in Maple Valley. He is the son of Stan and Barb Lorenson and the brother of Kelle Talbot of Covington and Hilary Birdsell of Kent. He now lives in Germany with his wife Yasmin.