Farley, Derek John
Male
Verified Staff Sgt. Derek John Farley, 24, of Nassau, New York, was an explosive ordnance disposal technician killed on August 17, 2010, at Forward Operating Base Farah, Afghanistan.
Their Story
Staff Sgt. Derek John Farley was a 24-year-old soldier from Nassau, New York. He served with the 702nd Explosive Ordnance Disposal Company, which was based in Grafenwoehr, Germany, prior to his deployment to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
According to the U.S. Department of Defense, Farley died on August 17, 2010, at Forward Operating Base Farah in Farah Province. He was killed while conducting disposal operations on an improvised explosive device.
Farley's death occurred during Operation Enduring Freedom, the U.S.-led military campaign in Afghanistan that began in October 2001. The mission involved counter-insurgency operations against Taliban and al-Qaeda forces, with IEDs representing a persistent and lethal threat to coalition and Afghan forces.
His body was returned to the United States, and a funeral service was held in his hometown. The Army posthumously awarded him the Bronze Star Medal and Purple Heart.
Farley was remembered by his unit as a dedicated technician. His name is inscribed on the National EOD Memorial at Eglin Air Force Base in Florida, which honors technicians killed in the line of duty.
Explore Further
Staff Sgt. Derek Farley 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.
