Cardin, Louis Frederick

Also known as: SSGT, 2D BN, 10TH MAR, (BLT 2/6, 26TH MEU), II MEF, CAMP LEJEUNE, NC

Combatant

Male Verified

DiedMarch 19, 2016

Age27 years old

Location of DeathERBIL, IRAQ

Cause of DeathKilled by enemy rocket fire during an attack on Firebase Bell near Erbil.

Conflict Operation Inherent Resolve

Staff Sergeant Louis Frederick Cardin, 27, of Temecula, California, was a U.S. Marine killed in a rocket attack in Erbil, Iraq, on March 19, 2016.

Their Story

Staff Sergeant Louis Frederick Cardin was a 27-year-old Marine from Temecula, California. He served with the 2nd Battalion, 10th Marines, which was deployed as part of the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit. Cardin was assigned to a security detail at a firebase near Erbil, in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq.

On March 19, 2016, the base, known as Firebase Bell, was struck by rocket fire from ISIS militants. Cardin was killed in the attack. The Pentagon confirmed his death was the result of enemy action. Several other Marines were reportedly wounded.

Cardin died during Operation Inherent Resolve, the U.S.-led military intervention against the Islamic State (ISIS) in Iraq and Syria. The operation began in August 2014 after ISIS seized large territories, including the city of Mosul. U.S. and coalition forces were advising and assisting Iraqi and Kurdish forces.

Following his death, the Marine Corps stated Cardin was providing force protection fire support for Iraqi partners. His body was returned to the United States. A memorial service was held at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, his home station.

Cardin was posthumously promoted from Sergeant to Staff Sergeant. He was the second American service member to be killed in combat in Iraq since the start of Operation Inherent Resolve. His name is recorded on the Defense Casualty Analysis System.