Killed in Action – Operation Enduring Freedom
Kandahar, Afghanistan
11 Sep 1985 – 3 Jan 2010
KIA
- On January 3, 2010, SrABradley Airman Smith was on a thirteen-person, dismounted area reconnaissance patrol in the vicinity of Kandahar.
- After arriving at a local village, Airman Smith assumed a support-by-fire position with the patrol’s Alpha team, while Bravo team traversed a bridge toward the village.
- After crossing the bridge, an 82mm mortar round impacted 10 meters from Bravo team.
- Seconds later, an improvised explosive device (IED) detonated, instantly killing two Soldiers and seriously wounding an Airman.
- The blast launched two of the casualties into an adjacent creek and a third mortally-wounded serviceman across the village.
- Without regard for his own safety, Airman Smith immediately rushed from his covered position into the waist-high water of the creek, in an effort to save one service member and recover the remains of the fallen.
- After moving the victims from the creek to a casualty collection point, Airman Smith focused on gathering the remains of the deceased member in the village.
- The patrol leader requested volunteers for the recovery operation; Airman Smith and the platoon medic were the first to step forward.
- Airman Smith proceeded along the eastern edge of the village, where he retrieved portions of the remains and began maneuvering back to the extraction site.
- As Airman Smith arrived at the casualty collection point, a second IED exploded.
- The results of this explosion were catastrophic, killing Airman Smith and the platoon medic instantly.
- SrA Smith was survived by Tiffany (wife), Chloe (daughter), Gary (Father), Paula (Mother) and Ryan (Brother).
- For his selfless and valorous actions, SrA Smith was posthumously awarded the Silver Star and the Purple Heart Medal.
