Plank, Michael Gee
Male
Verified Lance Corporal Michael Gee Plank, 25, of Cameron Mills, New York, was a U.S. Marine killed in action in Helmand province, Afghanistan, on June 9, 2010.
Their Story
Michael Gee Plank was a 25-year-old from the small community of Cameron Mills in New York state. He served as a Lance Corporal in the United States Marine Corps, assigned to the 7th Engineer Support Battalion, 1st Marine Logistics Group, I Marine Expeditionary Force Forward, based out of Camp Pendleton, California.
On June 9, 2010, Plank was killed while conducting combat operations in Helmand province, a volatile region in southern Afghanistan. The Department of Defense announced his death the following day, stating he died from wounds sustained in an improvised explosive device (IED) attack.
Plank's death occurred during Operation Enduring Freedom, the U.S.-led military campaign in Afghanistan that began in October 2001. In late 2009, a surge of approximately 30,000 additional U.S. troops was ordered, with many deployed to Helmand province to secure population centers and disrupt Taliban strongholds. The 7th ESB's role involved construction and route clearance, high-risk duties in an IED-heavy environment.
His body was returned to the United States, and he was buried with military honors in Bath National Cemetery in Steuben County, New York. Local news reported on memorial services held in his hometown.
Lance Corporal Plank is memorialized on the Fallen Heroes Memorial website and the Military Times 'Honor the Fallen' page. His name is inscribed on the Afghanistan War Memorial at the Veterans Memorial Park in his home region of the Southern Tier of New York.
Explore Further
Lance Corporal Michael Gee Plank 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.
