Anderson, Brian Michael

Brian Michael Anderson was a 24-year-old soldier from Harrisonburg, Virginia. He served as a Specialist with Company C, 1st Battalion, 87th Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, based out of Fort Drum, New York. His unit was deployed to Afghanistan as part of the U.S. military's contribution to Operation Enduring Freedom.

On June 12, 2010, Anderson was killed by hostile action in the village of Za Khel, located in the Paktika province of eastern Afghanistan. The area was known for insurgent activity. The Department of Defense announced his death the following day, stating he died of wounds sustained from an improvised explosive device, according to contemporaneous reporting.

Anderson's death occurred during the 2010 troop surge in Afghanistan, a period marked by intense counterinsurgency operations and high casualty rates for U.S. and allied forces. The war, which began in October 2001 following the September 11 attacks, aimed to dismantle al-Qaeda and remove the Taliban from power.

Following his death, Anderson's body was returned to the United States. A memorial service was held in his hometown of Harrisonburg, Virginia. He was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart, and other commendations for his service.

Anderson is memorialized on the Afghanistan War Memorial at the Harrisonburg Veterans Memorial Park. His name is also inscribed on the Afghanistan and Iraq War Memorial at Fort Drum and is included in the Defense Casualty Analysis System, a permanent U.S. government record of casualties from the conflict.

Brian Michael Anderson was killed during Operation Enduring Freedom (2001?2014). The conflict 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.

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