Necochea, Kenneth Edward Jr
Male
Verified Corporal Kenneth Edward Necochea Jr., 21, of San Diego, California, was a U.S. Army infantryman killed in hostile action on December 12, 2010, in Howz-e Madad, Afghanistan.
Their Story
Kenneth Edward Necochea Jr. was born on March 10, 1989, in San Diego, California. He enlisted in the U.S. Army and was assigned as an infantryman to Company B, 2nd Battalion, 502nd Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division, based at Fort Campbell, Kentucky. His service included deployments to the Philippines and the Horn of Africa before his assignment to Afghanistan.
On December 12, 2010, Corporal Necochea was on patrol with his unit in Howz-e Madad, a village in Kandahar province. According to U.S. military reports, his unit was struck by an improvised explosive device (IED). He was one of two soldiers from his battalion killed in the blast. The incident occurred during a period of intense operations in the province.
Necochea was killed during Operation Enduring Freedom, the U.S.-led military campaign in Afghanistan that began in October 2001 following the September 11 attacks. The operation focused on dismantling al-Qaeda and removing the Taliban from power. By 2010, U.S. forces were engaged in a major troop surge, with Kandahar province being a central battleground in counterinsurgency efforts.
Following his death, Necochea was posthumously promoted to the rank of Corporal. He was buried at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery in San Diego. His family and community in San Diego held memorial services, and his name was added to memorials honoring fallen service members from the region.
Corporal Necochea's name is inscribed on Panel 3W, Row 102 of the Afghanistan War Memorial at the Museum of the Forgotten Warriors in California. He is also remembered on online veterans' memorials and by his former unit. His awards include the Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart, and Army Commendation Medal.
Explore Further
Corporal Necochea 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.
