Self, David Dwayne
Male
Verified Staff Sergeant David Dwayne Self, 29, of Pearl, Mississippi, was a U.S. Army engineer serving with the 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment. He died on May 16, 2011, in Spin Ghbarga, Afghanistan, from hostile action.
Their Story
Staff Sergeant David Dwayne Self deployed to Afghanistan as part of Operation Enduring Freedom, the U.S.-led military campaign that began in October 2001. He was assigned to Engineer Troop, Fires Squadron, 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment, a unit based in Vilseck, Germany. The regiment's mission in Afghanistan included counterinsurgency operations and route clearance, tasks for which combat engineers were essential.
On May 16, 2011, Self was operating in the village of Spin Ghbarga, located in Afghanistan's volatile east. According to the Department of Defense, he was killed by hostile action. The specific incident was not detailed in initial announcements, but the area was known for insurgent activity involving improvised explosive devices and small-arms fire.
Self was 29 years old at the time of his death. A native of Pearl, Mississippi, he had previously served on deployments to the Philippines and the Horn of Africa, according to unit records. His military career reflected the global footprint of U.S. counterterrorism operations in the post-9/11 era.
The war in Afghanistan, which would continue for another three years after his death, resulted in the deaths of thousands of U.S. service members. Self's death was one of 418 confirmed U.S. fatalities in Afghanistan for the year 2011, a period marked by intense fighting as part of the troop surge.
His loss was formally acknowledged by the Department of Defense in a press release that week. The notification followed the standard procedure for combat casualties, confirming his name, age, hometown, and unit to the public.
Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan concluded in December 2014, transitioning to a follow-on mission. Staff Sergeant Self is memorialized on casualty lists and by veterans' organizations that document those who died during the conflict.
Explore Further
Operation Enduring Freedom, the U.S. military campaign in Afghanistan, began in October 2001 and 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.
