Mclaughlin, Ian Paul

Ian Paul McLaughlin was a 29-year-old soldier from Newport News, Virginia. He served on active duty in the U.S. Army, assigned to Company B, 307th Brigade Engineer Battalion (Airborne), 3rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, based at Fort Bragg, North Carolina.

According to the U.S. Department of Defense, McLaughlin died on January 11, 2020, in Kandahar, Afghanistan, from wounds sustained in combat. The Pentagon stated he was killed during a combat operation in the region, but did not release further specifics on the nature of the hostile action.

His death occurred during Operation Freedom's Sentinel, the U.S. military mission in Afghanistan that began in January 2015. The operation followed the conclusion of the larger NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) mission and focused on counterterrorism and training Afghan forces.

McLaughlin's death was announced by the Department of Defense. His unit, the 307th Brigade Engineer Battalion, is part of the 82nd Airborne Division. His body was returned to the United States, and he was buried at Arlington National Cemetery.

McLaughlin was posthumously promoted from Sergeant to Staff Sergeant. He was awarded the Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart, and Meritorious Service Medal. His name is inscribed on a memorial at Fort Bragg.

Ian Paul McLaughlin 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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