We remember them.

U.S. Coast Guard

Age

28

KIA

March 5, 2026

Hometown

Clovis, CA

Station

Astoria, OR

Unit

Rescue Swimmer

Aviation Survival Technician Tyler Jaggers was a Coast Guard rescue swimmer stationed at Air Station Astoria, Oregon. On February 27, 2026, he was critically injured during a medical evacuation off Cape Flattery, Washington, and passed away on March 5. He was posthumously promoted and awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for heroism during aerial flight.

U.S. Navy (SEAL)

Age

28

KIA

August 2, 2006

Hometown

Portland, OR

Station

San Diego, CA

Unit

SEAL Team 3

Marc Lee completed BUD/S despite a serious illness during training and went on to serve with SEAL Team 3. He was the first Navy SEAL killed in Iraq, falling on August 2, 2006, in Ramadi after exposing himself to enemy fire to protect his teammates. He was awarded the Silver Star and Bronze Star with Valor.

U.S. Navy (SEAL)

Age

36

KIA

March 17, 2010

Hometown

Hot Springs, AR

Station

Virginia Beach, VA

Unit

SEAL Team 6 (DEVGRU)

Adam Brown of Hot Springs, Arkansas, overcame immense personal hardship before earning his SEAL Trident. He served with SEAL Team 6 and was killed in action on March 17, 2010, in Afghanistan during Operation Enduring Freedom. Remembered by those who knew him as someone who always stood up for the little guy, his story inspired the book Fearless.

U.S. Marine Corps

Age

21

KIA

April 22, 2009

Hometown

Van Buren, AR

Station

Camp Lejeune, NC

Unit

2nd Supply Battalion, Combat Logistics Regiment 25, 2nd Marine Logistics Group, II Marine Expeditionary Force

William Comstock grew up in foster care in Van Buren, Arkansas, before enlisting in the Marine Corps in 2007. He was killed on April 22, 2009, in Iraq's Anbar province at age 21. He had previously earned a Purple Heart after being wounded during an earlier deployment, demonstrating quiet courage throughout his service.

U.S. Army

Age

25

KIA

November 20, 2010

Hometown

Greenwood, AR

Station

Vilseck, Germany

Unit

2nd Squadron, 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment

David "Scott" Robinson of Greenwood, Arkansas, served as a gunner and rifleman with the 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment and completed three combat tours before his death. He died November 20, 2010, in Afghanistan from injuries sustained in a vehicle rollover. He is survived by his wife and three children, including a youngest child he never had the chance to meet.

U.S. Army

Age

19

KIA

March 1, 2012

Hometown

Van Buren, AR

Station

Fort Bragg, NC

Unit

2nd Battalion, 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment

Payton Jones of Van Buren, Arkansas, was a paratrooper with the 82nd Airborne Division's 4th Brigade Combat Team at Fort Bragg. He was killed on March 1, 2012, at just 19 years old from small-arms fire wounds sustained in Sangsar, Kandahar province, Afghanistan, during Operation Enduring Freedom.

U.S. Marine Corps

Age

22

KIA

December 1, 2010

Hometown

Bentonville, AR

Station

Camp Pendleton, CA

Unit

1st Marine Regiment

Chad Wade of Bentonville, Arkansas, served with the 2nd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment at Camp Pendleton. He was killed on December 1, 2010, at age 22 while conducting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan. His service embodied the Marine commitment to country that defines a generation of young men from northwest Arkansas.

U.S. Army

Age

21

KIA

March 1, 2010

Hometown

Fort Smith, AR

Station

Fort Campbell, KY

Unit

187th Infantry, 101st Airborne

Vincent Owens served with the 101st Airborne Division at Fort Campbell and was killed on March 1, 2010, when enemy forces attacked his vehicle with direct fire — just two weeks into his second deployment. He had married his wife Kaitlyn only weeks before leaving for Afghanistan, with a larger ceremony planned for his return.

U.S. Air Force

Age

21

KIA

October 21, 2004

Hometown

Rogers, AR

Station

Nellis Air Force Base, NV

Unit

66th Rescue Squadron

Jesse Samek of Rogers, Arkansas, served as a flight engineer on HH-60 Para Rescue helicopters with the 66th Rescue Squadron at Nellis Air Force Base. He died on October 21, 2004, when his helicopter crashed in Herat province, Afghanistan, during a medical evacuation mission. His family said he loved that his job was saving lives.

U.S. Coast Guard

Age

24

KIA

April 24, 2004

Hometown

Stony Brook, NY

Station

Miami, FL

Unit

Tactical Law Enforcement Team (TACLET) South

Nathan Bruckenthal was the first Coast Guard member killed in battle since the Vietnam War. He died on April 24, 2004, in the Persian Gulf during Operation Iraqi Freedom when suicide bombers attacked near oil pumping stations. A volunteer firefighter, EMT, and reserve police officer, he left behind a pregnant wife and a legacy of selfless service.

U.S. Army

Age

24

KIA

January 28, 2005

Hometown

Roland, OK

Station

Booneville, AR

Unit

39th Infantry Brigade

Lyle Rymer II served with the Arkansas Army National Guard's 239th Engineer Company and was killed on January 28, 2005, in Baghdad by sniper fire while guarding engineers setting up election barricades. Awarded the Purple Heart and Bronze Star, he is survived by his wife and two young children who carry on his memory.

U.S. Marine Corps

Age

21

KIA

October 14, 2010

Hometown

Knoxville, AR

Station

Camp Pendleton, CA

Unit

1st Marine Division

Irvin Ceniceros of Knoxville, Arkansas, served with the 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment. He was killed on October 14, 2010, at age 21 by small-arms fire in Helmand province, Afghanistan — his first combat deployment. He earned the Purple Heart and Combat Action Ribbon, honoring a life of service cut far too short.

U.S. Army

Age

23

KIA

November 16, 2012

Hometown

Booneville, AR

Station

Fort Riley, KS

Unit

1st Battalion, 28th Infantry, 4th Regiment

Joseph Richardson of Booneville, Arkansas, served with the 1st Infantry Division's 4th Brigade Combat Team at Fort Riley, Kansas. He was killed on November 16, 2012, in Paktika province, Afghanistan, when enemy forces attacked his unit with an IED and small-arms fire. He was 23 years old and is survived by his wife Ashley.

U.S. Marine Corps

Age

20

KIA

March 18, 2004

Hometown

Fayetteville, AR

Station

Camp Pendleton, CA

Unit

1st Marine Division

Brandon Smith of Fayetteville, Arkansas, served with the 3rd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment and was killed on March 18, 2004, in Qaim, Iraq, by mortar fire while rushing to assist fellow Marines under attack. He was 20 years old, had planned to attend college, and dreamed of earning a commission as a Marine officer.

U.S. Army

Age

25

KIA

July 5, 2008

Hometown

Rogers, AR

Station

Hazen, AR

Unit

39th Infantry Brigade

Anthony Woodham of Rogers, Arkansas, served with the 39th Infantry Brigade Combat Team of the Arkansas Army National Guard. He died on July 5, 2008, at Camp Adder in Tallil, Iraq, from cardiac arrest while performing vehicle maintenance in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. He was 37 years old and deeply beloved by his unit.

U.S. Marine Corps

Age

24

KIA

April 15, 2008

Hometown

Rogers, AR

Station

Camp Lejeune, NC

Unit

Combat Logistics Battalion 24, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, II Marine Expeditionary Force

Kyle Wilks of Rogers, Arkansas, graduated from Rogers High School in 2002 before enlisting in the Marine Corps. He was killed on April 15, 2008, in Kandahar province, Afghanistan, when his convoy vehicle struck a roadside IED. Described as outgoing with an easy smile, he had aspired to a career in law enforcement.

U.S. Marine Corps

Age

31

KIA

August 26, 2021

Hometown

West Memphis, AR

Station

Camp Pendleton, CA

Unit

2nd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force

Taylor Hoover was killed on August 26, 2021, at Abbey Gate in Kabul, Afghanistan — one of 13 service members lost that day. He is buried at Arlington National Cemetery. A scholarship fund established in his name honors students who exemplify the Marine values of honor, courage, and commitment that defined his life.

U.S. Army

Age

30

KIA

February 16, 2012

Hometown

Russellville, AR

Station

Grafenwoehr, Germany

Unit

2nd Battalion, 28th Infantry Regiment, 172nd

Jerry Reed II of Russellville, Arkansas, served with the 2nd Battalion, 28th Infantry Regiment based in Grafenwoehr, Germany. He died on February 16, 2012, at Forward Operating Base Sharana in Afghanistan during Operation Enduring Freedom at age 30, far from home but serving the country he loved.

U.S. Marine Corps

Age

19

KIA

April 14, 2013

Hometown

Gentry, AR

Station

Miramar, CA

Unit

3rd Marine Air Wing

Benjamin Tuttle of Gentry, Arkansas, served with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 323 at MCAS Miramar. He died on April 14, 2013, at just 19 years old at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany after being medically evacuated from the USS Nimitz during a deployment in the 5th Fleet area of responsibility.

U.S. Army

Age

25

KIA

January 7, 2011

Hometown

Fayetteville, AR

Station

Fort Polk, LA

Unit

2nd Battalion, 30th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade

Ethan Hardin of Fayetteville, Arkansas, served with the 10th Mountain Division's 4th Brigade Combat Team at Fort Polk, Louisiana. He was killed on January 7, 2011, in Logar province, Afghanistan, at age 25 when insurgents attacked his unit with an IED and small-arms fire during Operation Enduring Freedom.