Copes, Gregory Todd
Male
Verified Staff Sergeant Gregory Todd Copes, 36, of Lynch Station, Virginia, was a U.S. Marine killed in hostile action in Afghanistan's Farah province on August 17, 2012.
Their Story
Gregory Todd Copes was a 36-year-old staff sergeant from Lynch Station, Virginia. He served on active duty in the United States Marine Corps and was assigned to the 3rd Marine Special Operations Battalion (Forward), based out of Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.
On August 17, 2012, Copes was killed in Farah province, Afghanistan. According to the Department of Defense, his death resulted from hostile action. The Marine Corps Times reported that he was killed by small arms fire while conducting combat operations.
Copes died during Operation Enduring Freedom, the U.S.-led military campaign in Afghanistan that began in October 2001. In 2012, the year of his death, U.S. and coalition forces were engaged in a counterinsurgency effort against Taliban and other militant groups, with Farah province being a known area of insurgent activity.
Following his death, the Marine Corps Special Operations Command released a statement confirming his loss. He was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart medal. A memorial service was held at Camp Lejeune.
Staff Sergeant Copes is remembered on memorial walls and in online tributes maintained by veterans' groups. His name is inscribed on the Afghanistan War Memorial at the National Museum of the Marine Corps.
Explore Further
Staff Sergeant Copes 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.
