Owens, Gregory Jr
Male
Verified U.S. Army Sergeant Gregory Owens Jr., 24, of Garland, Texas, died on July 20, 2009, in the Maydan Shahr District of Afghanistan.
Their Story
Gregory Owens Jr. was a 24-year-old sergeant from Garland, Texas, assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 4th Battalion, 25th Field Artillery Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, based at Fort Drum, New York. His unit was deployed to Afghanistan as part of Operation Enduring Freedom.
Owens died on July 20, 2009, in the Maydan Shahr District of Wardak province, Afghanistan. The U.S. Department of Defense listed the cause as hostile action. No further specifics regarding the incident were publicly detailed in official casualty releases.
By 2009, Operation Enduring Freedom was in its eighth year. The Taliban had regrouped, and the use of improvised explosive devices (IEDs) against coalition forces was increasing. U.S. casualty figures for that year rose sharply, making it one of the deadliest periods of the war for American troops.
Owens's death was reported by the Department of Defense and noted in local Texas media. He was survived by his family in Garland.
Sergeant Owens is memorialized on the Afghanistan War casualty lists and at the Fort Drum memorial. His name is inscribed on the Garland Veterans Memorial in his hometown.
Explore Further
Sgt. Owens 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.
