Pridham, Michael Shane Jr

Michael Shane Pridham Jr. was a 19-year-old soldier from Louisville, Kentucky. He served as a Private First Class with Company D, 1st Battalion, 4th Infantry Regiment, based in Hohenfels, Germany, as part of the U.S. Army.

On July 6, 2010, Pridham was killed by enemy small-arms fire while on patrol in Qalat, the capital of Zabul province in southern Afghanistan. The Department of Defense announced his death the following day.

His 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 U.S. forces was ordered, and Pridham's unit was deployed as part of that increased troop presence, primarily focused on counterinsurgency operations in volatile southern provinces like Zabul.

Following his death, Pridham's body was returned to the United States. He was buried in Zachary Taylor National Cemetery in Louisville, Kentucky.

Pridham was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart, and other service medals. His name is inscribed on the Afghanistan War Memorial at Veterans Memorial Park in his hometown of Louisville.

PFC Michael Shane Pridham Jr. 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.

← Return to the full memorial | Add a memorial record