Mclawhorn, Willie Atlas Jr

Willie Atlas Mclawhorn Jr. was a 23-year-old soldier from Conway, North Carolina. He served as a sergeant with Bravo Company, 2nd Battalion, 502nd Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, based out of Fort Campbell, Kentucky.

On December 12, 2010, Sgt. Mclawhorn was killed by enemy small-arms fire during a dismounted patrol in Howz e Madad, a village in the volatile Zhari District of Kandahar Province. The area was a known insurgent stronghold and a focus of coalition clearing operations at the time.

His death occurred during Operation Enduring Freedom, the U.S.-led military campaign in Afghanistan that began in October 2001 following the September 11 attacks. The year 2010 was the deadliest for international forces in the conflict, with intense fighting in southern provinces like Kandahar.

According to the Department of Defense, Sgt. Mclawhorn was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart, and Meritorious Service Medal. His remains were returned to North Carolina for burial.

He is remembered on memorials in his hometown and is listed among the 2,356 American service members who died during Operation Enduring Freedom. His unit continued its deployment following his loss.

Sgt. Mclawhorn 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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