Pairsh, Joshua Cole
Male
Verified Capt. Joshua Cole Pairsh, 29, of Equality, Illinois, was a U.S. Marine Corps Reserve officer. He died on January 22, 2012, at the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland.
Their Story
Joshua Cole Pairsh was a 29-year-old captain from Equality, Illinois, serving with the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve. He was assigned to the 4th Civil Affairs Group, which was attached to the 2nd Battalion, 4th Marines, II Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward).
According to the Department of Defense, Pairsh died from wounds sustained while conducting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan, earlier in January 2012. He was evacuated from the battlefield and ultimately succumbed to his injuries at the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland.
His death occurred during Operation Enduring Freedom, the U.S.-led military campaign in Afghanistan that began in October 2001. The conflict involved counter-insurgency operations against Taliban and Al-Qaeda forces, with Helmand province being a major area of combat.
The Department of Defense announced his death on January 23, 2012. His hometown newspaper, The Southern Illinoisan, reported on his passing and noted he was a graduate of Southern Illinois University Carbondale.
Pairsh is memorialized on the Fallen Heroes Project website and at the Veterans Memorial in his home county. He was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart.
Explore Further
Capt. Joshua Pairsh 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.
