Carlson, Daniel Lewis

Daniel Lewis Carlson was a 21-year-old soldier from Running Springs, California. He served with Company D, 3rd Battalion, 25th Aviation Regiment, 25th Combat Aviation Brigade, as a specialist. According to unit records, his service included deployments to Afghanistan, the Philippines, and the Horn of Africa.

On November 9, 2012, Carlson was killed in Kandahar province, a major insurgent stronghold in southern Afghanistan. The Department of Defense stated he died of wounds sustained when his unit was attacked by enemy small arms fire. He was the only U.S. service member reported killed in action in Afghanistan that day.

Carlson's death occurred during Operation Enduring Freedom, the U.S.-led military campaign in Afghanistan that began in October 2001. By late 2012, the conflict was in its eleventh year, with U.S. and coalition forces engaged in a counterinsurgency and training mission, particularly in volatile southern provinces like Kandahar.

Following his death, Carlson's body was returned to the United States. He was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart, and other military honors. His funeral was held in his hometown of Running Springs.

Carlson is memorialized on the Afghanistan War Memorial at the San Bernardino County Government Center and on online veterans' memorials. His name is inscribed on Panel 31E, Line 42 of the Afghanistan War Memorial at the University of Southern California.

Daniel Carlson 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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