Morgan, Dwight Jason
Male
Verified Dwight Jason Morgan, a 24-year-old Staff Sergeant from Willits, California, was killed in action on January 20, 2002, southeast of Kabul, Afghanistan.
Their Story
Staff Sergeant Dwight Jason Morgan was a United States Marine from Willits, California. He served with Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 361 (HMH-361), part of Marine Aircraft Group 16, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, based at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar.
On January 20, 2002, Morgan was killed in a helicopter crash approximately 23 miles southeast of Kabul, Afghanistan. The CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter, carrying seven Marines, went down in mountainous terrain during a night mission. The Department of Defense stated the crash was not due to hostile fire.
Morgan's death occurred during the early months of Operation Enduring Freedom, the U.S.-led military campaign in Afghanistan that began in October 2001. The operation initially focused on removing the Taliban government and dismantling the al-Qaeda network following the September 11 attacks.
According to news reports at the time, the crash prompted a recovery operation in difficult conditions. All seven Marines aboard were declared dead. The incident was one of the first major aviation losses of the conflict in Afghanistan.
Morgan was 24 years old. He is remembered on the 1st Marine Division Memorial at Camp Pendleton and is listed among the 2,356 American service members who died during Operation Enduring Freedom.
Explore Further
Dwight Jason Morgan 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.
