Burnett, James Roland Jr

James Roland Burnett Jr. was a 21-year-old soldier from Wichita, Kansas. He served as a Specialist with Company A, 1st Battalion, 5th Infantry Regiment, 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, based out of Fort Wainwright, Alaska. His unit deployed to Afghanistan as part of Operation Enduring Freedom.

Burnett died on November 16, 2011, in Kandahar province, a major insurgent stronghold in southern Afghanistan. According to U.S. Department of Defense casualty reports, his death was the result of hostile enemy action. No further specific details of the incident were publicly released by the military.

His death occurred during a period of intense combat in Afghanistan. The U.S.-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) was engaged in a major campaign to secure Kandahar and surrounding districts, which involved frequent direct engagements with Taliban and other insurgent forces. The year 2011 was the deadliest of the war for international coalition forces.

Burnett's death was reported by local and national news outlets, including The Wichita Eagle. He was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart, and other service medals. His remains were returned to Kansas.

He is memorialized on the Afghanistan War Memorial at the University of Kansas and on online veterans' memorials. His name is included on the roster of more than 2,300 American service members who died during Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan.

James Burnett 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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