Smith, David James

David James Smith was a 25-year-old Marine sergeant from Frederick, Maryland. He served as a reservist with the 4th Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, part of the 4th Marine Division, which was forward-deployed as part of Marine Expeditionary Brigade-Afghanistan (MEB-A).

According to U.S. Department of Defense casualty announcements, Sgt. Smith died on January 26, 2010, at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany. The hospital is a major treatment facility for U.S. and allied service members wounded in combat zones. His death was the result of wounds received from hostile action in Helmand province, Afghanistan.

His death occurred during a significant escalation of the war. In late 2009, U.S. President Barack Obama ordered a surge of 30,000 additional troops into Afghanistan, with a focus on the Taliban stronghold of Helmand. The 4th Marine Division's units were heavily involved in this offensive push during the winter of 2009-2010.

Sgt. Smith was one of 2356 American service members who died during Operation Enduring Freedom, the U.S.-led combat mission in Afghanistan that lasted from October 2001 until its formal conclusion in December 2014. The conflict resulted in the deaths of tens of thousands of Afghan civilians and combatants from all sides.

His death, like all others in the conflict, is recorded by memorial organizations and the U.S. government. The circumstances reflect the pattern of the war, where improvised explosive devices and direct fire in provinces like Helmand caused severe casualties, with some service members succumbing to wounds after medical evacuation.

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

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