Buckley, Gregory Thomas
Male
Verified Lance Corporal Gregory Thomas Buckley, 21, of Oceanside, New York, was a U.S. Marine killed in Helmand province, Afghanistan, on August 10, 2012.
Their Story
Gregory Thomas Buckley was a 21-year-old Marine from Oceanside, New York. He served with the 3rd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, based out of Marine Corps Base Hawaii at Kaneohe Bay. According to the Department of Defense, he was deployed to Afghanistan as part of Operation Enduring Freedom.
Buckley died on August 10, 2012, in the Garmsir district of Helmand province. He was one of three Marines killed in an insider attack, reportedly shot by a member of the Afghan Local Police. The incident occurred at a checkpoint where U.S. forces were advising local police units.
His death came during the final years of Operation Enduring Freedom, the U.S.-led military campaign in Afghanistan that began in 2001. By 2012, U.S. forces were heavily engaged in a training and advisory role with Afghan security forces, a mission that carried significant risk from such insider attacks.
The Department of Defense officially announced his death the following day. Buckley was posthumously promoted to the rank of Lance Corporal. His body was returned to New York, where he was buried at Long Island National Cemetery.
Buckley was remembered by his community on Long Island. In 2013, a local park was renamed in his honor, and an annual charity run was established to support veterans' causes.
Explore Further
Lance Corporal Buckley 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.
