Burnett, Dustin Kelby

Dustin Kelby Burnett was a 19-year-old from Fort Mohave, Arizona, who enlisted in the United States Navy. He trained as a Hospitalman, a medical specialist, and was assigned to support the 2nd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, part of the 1st Marine Expeditionary Force. His service reportedly included deployments to Afghanistan, the Philippines, and the Horn of Africa.

On June 20, 2008, Burnett was killed by hostile fire while supporting combat operations in Farah Province, Afghanistan. He was serving with his Marine unit at the time of his death. The U.S. Department of Defense confirmed the incident.

Burnett died during Operation Enduring Freedom, the U.S.-led military campaign in Afghanistan that began in October 2001. In 2008, the conflict was marked by a significant Taliban insurgency, particularly in southern and western provinces like Farah, where U.S. and allied forces conducted counterinsurgency operations.

Burnett's death was reported by several news outlets, including the Mohave Daily News. He was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart. A memorial service was held in his hometown.

Burnett is remembered on memorial walls in Arizona and at the Navy Hospital Corpsman Memorial in Great Lakes, Illinois. His name is inscribed on the Veterans Memorial in Bullhead City, Arizona.

Hospitalman Burnett was killed during Operation Enduring Freedom (2001–2014). The conflict concluded in December 2014. See the full roster of those killed in this conflict.

Among those documented in the same conflict: Andrews, Evander Earl, Edmunds, Jonn Joseph, Stonesifer, Kristofor Tif, Davis, Bryant Leroy.

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