Rankel, John Kenneth
Male
Verified Sgt. John Kenneth Rankel, 23, of Speedway, Indiana, was a U.S. Marine killed in a hostile incident at Forward Operating Base Dwyer, Afghanistan, on June 7, 2010.
Their Story
John Kenneth Rankel was a 23-year-old sergeant from Speedway, Indiana, serving with the 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, based at Camp Pendleton, California. According to the Department of Defense, his service included deployments to the Philippines, the Horn of Africa, and Afghanistan.
On June 7, 2010, Sgt. Rankel died from wounds sustained during a hostile incident at Forward Operating Base Dwyer in Helmand province, Afghanistan. The Marine Corps stated he was supporting combat operations in the region at the time of his death.
Rankel's death occurred during Operation Enduring Freedom, the U.S.-led military campaign in Afghanistan that began in October 2001 following the September 11 attacks. In 2010, U.S. and coalition forces were engaged in a major troop surge, with intense fighting concentrated in southern provinces like Helmand.
His body was returned to the United States, and he was buried with military honors at Crown Hill Cemetery in Indianapolis. The Indianapolis Star reported that hundreds attended his funeral procession in Speedway.
Sgt. Rankel was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart. He is memorialized on the Indiana Fallen Heroes website and at the Semper Fi Memorial in Indianapolis.
Explore Further
Sgt. Rankel 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.
