Maldonado, Jose Luis

Jose Luis Maldonado was a 21-year-old Marine from Mathis, Texas. He served with the 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, based at Camp Pendleton, California. His service included deployments to Afghanistan, the Philippines, and the Horn of Africa.

On December 17, 2010, Maldonado was killed in Helmand province, a volatile region in southern Afghanistan. According to the Department of Defense, he died from wounds sustained while conducting combat operations. His unit was part of Regimental Combat Team 2, operating in support of the International Security Assistance Force.

Operation Enduring Freedom, the U.S.-led military campaign in Afghanistan, began in October 2001. By late 2010, the conflict was marked by a significant troop surge, with intense fighting concentrated in Taliban strongholds like Helmand and Kandahar provinces. The 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines, known as the 'Darkhorse' battalion, experienced heavy casualties during its 2010-2011 deployment in the Sangin district of Helmand.

The Department of Defense officially announced Maldonado's death on December 20, 2010. He was posthumously promoted to the rank of Lance Corporal. His body was returned to Texas, where he was buried with military honors.

Lance Cpl. Maldonado is remembered on memorial walls in his hometown and by his battalion. His name is inscribed on the 1st Marine Division Memorial at Camp Pendleton and is included on the Afghanistan War Memorial at the National Museum of the Marine Corps.

Lance Cpl. Maldonado 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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