Soviak, Maxton William

Maxton William Soviak was a 22-year-old U.S. Navy Hospital Corpsman from Berlin Heights, Ohio. He enlisted in the Navy in 2017 and was trained as a corpsman, a medical specialist assigned to provide care to U.S. Marine units. At the time of his death, he was serving with the 2nd Battalion, 1st Marines, part of a Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force.

On August 26, 2021, Soviak was among the U.S. service members and Marines providing security at the Abbey Gate entrance to Hamid Karzai International Airport. A single suicide bomber detonated an explosive vest in the dense crowd of civilians and military personnel. The blast killed 13 U.S. service members, including Soviak, and at least 170 Afghan civilians, according to U.S. military and United Nations reports.

The attack occurred during the final days of the U.S. military's non-combatant evacuation operation from Kabul, following the Taliban's takeover of Afghanistan. Soviak's death came during Operation Freedom's Sentinel, the U.S. mission that succeeded the initial combat phase of the war and focused on training and counter-terrorism.

His death was confirmed by the U.S. Department of Defense. His body was returned to the United States during the dignified transfer ceremony at Dover Air Force Base. Ohio Governor Mike DeWine ordered flags in the state to be flown at half-staff in his honor.

Soviak was posthumously promoted to the rank of Hospital Corpsman Third Class. In his hometown, a memorial was established at the Berlin Heights Community Center. His family described him as a dedicated sailor who was proud to serve as a corpsman for the Marines.

Maxton Soviak was killed during Operation Freedom's Sentinel (ongoing since January 2015). See the full roster of those killed in this conflict.

Among those documented in the same conflict: Sanchez, Maria Victoria, Dawson, John Michael, Ruiz, Pablo Allende Iii, Mckenna, Peter Andrew Jr.

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