Johnston, James Gregory

James Gregory Johnston was a 24-year-old sergeant from Trumansburg, New York. He served in the U.S. Army with the 704th Ordnance Company, 79th Ordnance Battalion, 71st Ordnance Group, based at Fort Hood, Texas. He deployed to Afghanistan as part of Operation Freedom's Sentinel.

On June 25, 2019, Sergeant Johnston died from wounds sustained during a combat engagement in Uruzgan Province, Afghanistan. According to a U.S. military statement, the incident was under investigation. Two other U.S. service members were reportedly killed in the same engagement.

Operation Freedom's Sentinel was the U.S. military mission in Afghanistan that began in January 2015, succeeding Operation Enduring Freedom. Its stated objectives included training, advising, and assisting Afghan forces and conducting counterterrorism operations. The mission was part of a broader, nearly two-decade-long conflict.

Johnston's body was returned to the United States in early July 2019. The Ithaca Journal reported that his hometown of Trumansburg held a procession in his honor. He was posthumously promoted from specialist to sergeant.

He was awarded the Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart, and Meritorious Service Medal. Johnston is remembered by his unit and community. His name is inscribed on the Afghanistan War Memorial at the Trumansburg Conservatory of Fine Arts.

James Gregory Johnston was killed during Operation Freedom's Sentinel (ongoing since 2015). See the full roster of those killed in this conflict.

Among those documented in the same conflict: Sanchez, Maria Victoria, Dawson, John Michael, Ruiz, Pablo Allende Iii, Mckenna, Peter Andrew Jr.

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