Cherry, Craig William
Male
Verified U.S. Army Staff Sergeant Craig William Cherry, 39, of Winchester, Virginia, died on August 7, 2004, in Kandahar, Afghanistan, during Operation Enduring Freedom.
Their Story
Craig William Cherry was a 39-year-old Staff Sergeant from Winchester, Virginia. He served with the Virginia Army National Guard's Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 3rd Battalion, 116th Infantry Regiment, based in his hometown.
On August 7, 2004, Cherry was killed by hostile fire in Kandahar, Afghanistan. According to the U.S. Department of Defense, he was part of a security mission when his unit came under attack.
Cherry's death occurred during Operation Enduring Freedom, the U.S.-led military campaign in Afghanistan that began in October 2001 following the September 11 attacks. By 2004, operations were focused on counter-insurgency and stabilization efforts, with Kandahar province a key area of Taliban activity.
Following his death, Cherry was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star Medal and Purple Heart. His funeral was held in Winchester, where he was remembered by his unit and community.
Cherry is memorialized on the National Guard Memorial in Washington, D.C., and at the Virginia War Memorial. His name is also inscribed on Panel 9W, Line 117 of the Afghanistan War Memorial at the National Infantry Museum.
Explore Further
Staff Sergeant Craig Cherry 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.
