Smith, Jason Thomas
Male
Verified Sgt. Jason Thomas Smith, 28, of Colorado Springs, Colorado, was a U.S. Marine assigned to 1st Explosive Ordnance Disposal Company, 1st Marine Logistics Group, I Marine Expeditionary Force Forward. He died in Helmand province, Afghanistan, o
Their Story
Sgt. Jason Thomas Smith was a 28-year-old Marine from Colorado Springs, Colorado. He served as an explosive ordnance disposal technician with the 1st Explosive Ordnance Disposal Company, 1st Marine Logistics Group, I Marine Expeditionary Force Forward. His unit was based out of Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, and was deployed to southern Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
In late 2010, Helmand province was a center of intense combat. U.S. and allied forces conducted clearing operations against Taliban insurgents, who employed improvised explosive devices as a primary weapon. EOD technicians like Smith were tasked with locating and neutralizing these devices, a role carrying extreme risk.
On November 19, 2010, the U.S. Department of Defense announced that Sgt. Smith had died that day in Helmand province. The official casualty report listed the cause as hostile action. No further operational details of the incident were released in the initial announcement.
Smith's death was recorded during a period of heightened violence in the Afghan war. 2010 was the deadliest year for U.S. forces in the conflict, with 499 service members killed. The Marine Corps, heavily engaged in Helmand, suffered significant casualties.
He was survived by his family in Colorado Springs. His name is inscribed on Panel 6R, Line 127 of the Afghanistan War Memorial at the National Museum of the United States Army and on other local memorials.
Operation Enduring Freedom, the U.S.-led combat mission in Afghanistan, formally concluded in December 2014. Smith was one of 2,218 American service members who died during that phase of the war.
Explore Further
Operation Enduring Freedom, the U.S. combat mission in Afghanistan, concluded in December 2014 after over 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.
