Mcclain, Charles John
Male
Verified U.S. Army Sergeant Charles John McClain, 26, of Follansbee, West Virginia, was killed in a hostile incident in the Waygal Valley of Afghanistan on October 31, 2006.
Their Story
Charles John McClain was a sergeant in the United States Army. He served with Company A, Special Troops Battalion, 3rd Brigade Combat Team (Task Force Spartan), based at Fort Drum, New York. His service included deployments to the Philippines, the Horn of Africa, and Afghanistan.
On October 31, 2006, McClain was killed in the Waygal Valley of Afghanistan's Nuristan province. According to military reports, his unit was conducting combat operations when it came under enemy small-arms fire. He was 26 years old at the time of his death.
McClain's death occurred during Operation Enduring Freedom, the U.S.-led military campaign in Afghanistan. The operation began in October 2001 following the September 11 attacks and involved counter-insurgency and stability operations against Taliban and al-Qaeda forces. The Waygal Valley was a known area of insurgent activity.
McClain was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star Medal and Purple Heart. His remains were returned to the United States, and he was buried in his home state of West Virginia. The Department of Defense officially announced his death on November 2, 2006.
Sergeant McClain is memorialized on the Afghanistan War Memorial at Fort Drum and on online veterans' memorials. He is survived by his family in Follansbee, West Virginia.
Explore Further
Sgt. Charles McClain 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.
