Russell, Drew Edward
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Verified Captain Drew Edward Russell, 25, of Scotts, Michigan, was an active-duty U.S. Army officer assigned to the 1st Squadron, 10th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, Fort Carson, Colorado. He died in Kandahar City, Afghanistan, on Octobe
Their Story
Captain Drew Edward Russell was a 25-year-old officer from Scotts, Michigan, serving with the U.S. Army's 1st Squadron, 10th Cavalry Regiment, part of the 2nd Brigade Combat Team based at Fort Carson, Colorado. His military service included deployments to Afghanistan, the Philippines, and the Horn of Africa.
On October 8, 2011, Russell was killed in Kandahar City, a major urban center in southern Afghanistan and a focal point of insurgent activity during the war. The Department of Defense announced his death the following day, stating he died of wounds sustained from enemy small-arms fire.
His death occurred during Operation Enduring Freedom, the U.S.-led military campaign in Afghanistan that began in October 2001. At the time of his death, U.S. and allied forces were engaged in intense counterinsurgency operations, particularly in Kandahar province.
Russell was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star Medal and Purple Heart. He was survived by his wife, parents, and siblings. His unit, the 1st Squadron, 10th Cavalry Regiment, is a historic unit known as the 'Buffalo Soldiers.'
The war in Afghanistan, in which Russell served, concluded with the withdrawal of U.S. combat forces in December 2014, marking the end of Operation Enduring Freedom. The conflict resulted in the deaths of thousands of U.S. service members and Afghan civilians.
Explore Further
Operation Enduring Freedom, the U.S. military campaign in Afghanistan, concluded in December 2014 after 13 years of conflict. 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.
