Blickenstaff, Joseph Michael
Male
Verified Joseph Michael Blickenstaff, an American soldier from Corvallis, OR, was killed in action on December 8, 2003, in Ad Duluiyah, Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Their Story
Joseph Michael Blickenstaff was a Specialist in the United States Army, serving with Company B, 1st Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment, stationed at Fort Lewis, Washington. Born in Corvallis, Oregon, Blickenstaff joined the military to serve his country and was deployed as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom, a conflict initiated in March 2003.
On December 8, 2003, Blickenstaff found himself in Ad Duluiyah, Iraq, a location that would become the site of his final moments. At the age of 23, he was killed in action, one of the thousands of military personnel who perished in this extensive conflict.
Operation Iraqi Freedom, which began with the intent to topple Saddam Hussein's regime, was marked by numerous battles and challenges faced by servicemen and women like Blickenstaff. The operation officially concluded in August 2010, leaving a lasting impact on all those involved.
Blickenstaff's death underscores the human cost of war, a reminder of the young lives lost in pursuit of military objectives. His sacrifice is remembered by family, friends, and fellow soldiers who served alongside him.
Ad Duluiyah, located in the Salah ad Din Governorate, was one of many locations where intense fighting took place during the conflict. The loss of Blickenstaff is part of the broader narrative of Operation Iraqi Freedom, which claimed the lives of 4,418 American service members.
Explore Further
Operation Iraqi Freedom, which began in March 2003, officially concluded in August 2010. See the full roster of those killed in this conflict.
Among those documented in the same conflict: Aubin, Jay Thomas, Beaupre, Ryan Anthony, Childers, Therrel Shane, Gutierrez, Jose.
