Rivers, Thomas Edward Jr

Thomas Edward Rivers Jr. was a 22-year-old Marine from Birmingham, Alabama. He served with the 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, part of Regimental Combat Team 2, II Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward), based out of Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. His unit was deployed to Afghanistan as part of Operation Enduring Freedom, the U.S.-led international military effort that began in October 2001.

In the spring of 2010, the 2nd Marine Division was heavily engaged in Helmand province, a southern region that was a center of Taliban activity and a major focus of the coalition's counterinsurgency campaign. Operations there involved clearing districts and holding territory to extend the authority of the Afghan government.

On April 28, 2010, Lance Cpl. Rivers was killed during operations in Helmand province. The Department of Defense announced his death the following day, stating he died of wounds sustained while supporting combat operations. His death was recorded as a result of hostile action.

Rivers was one of at least 11 U.S. service members killed in Afghanistan during the month of April 2010, according to Defense Department casualty lists. The conflict in Afghanistan, Operation Enduring Freedom, continued until its formal conclusion in December 2014.

His death was reported by local and national news outlets in Alabama, which noted his Birmingham roots. The Marine Corps confirmed his unit and the circumstances of his death in official releases.

Operation Enduring Freedom, the U.S.-led combat mission in Afghanistan, 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.

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