Macpherson, Thomas Raymond

Thomas Raymond Macpherson was a 26-year-old sergeant from Long Beach, California. He served with Company D, 2nd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, based at Joint Base Lewis-McChord in Washington state. The 75th Ranger Regiment is a special operations light infantry unit of the U.S. Army.

On October 12, 2012, Sgt. Macpherson was killed during a combat operation in Ghazni province, Afghanistan. According to the Department of Defense, he was fatally wounded by enemy small-arms fire while his unit was engaged in a firefight. The operation was part of a mission to capture a senior Taliban leader in the area.

Macpherson's death occurred during Operation Enduring Freedom, the U.S.-led military campaign in Afghanistan that began in October 2001. By late 2012, the conflict was in its eleventh year, with U.S. and allied forces conducting counterinsurgency and special operations missions against Taliban and al-Qaeda fighters. Ghazni province, south of Kabul, was a known area of insurgent activity.

The Department of Defense announced his death the following day. He was posthumously promoted from the rank of specialist to sergeant. His awards included the Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart, and Meritorious Service Medal.

Sgt. Macpherson was remembered by his unit as a dedicated Ranger. A memorial service was held at Joint Base Lewis-McChord. His name is inscribed on the Afghanistan War Memorial at the base and is listed on the Global War on Terrorism Memorial in New York.

Sgt. Macpherson 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.

← Return to the full memorial | Add a memorial record