Clarkson, Joel David
Male
Verified U.S. Army Sergeant Joel David Clarkson, 23, of Fairbanks, Alaska, died on March 16, 2010, at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany from wounds sustained in Afghanistan.
Their Story
Joel David Clarkson was a sergeant assigned to Company A, 2nd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, based at Joint Base Lewis-McChord in Washington. The 23-year-old soldier was from Fairbanks, Alaska. He had deployed multiple times in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, with service documented in Afghanistan, the Philippines, and the Horn of Africa.
On March 13, 2010, Clarkson was wounded by an improvised explosive device while on a combat operation in the Kandahar province of Afghanistan. He was evacuated for medical treatment to the Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany, where he died from his injuries on March 16.
Operation Enduring Freedom was the U.S.-led military campaign in Afghanistan, launched in October 2001 following the September 11 attacks. The conflict involved counter-insurgency operations against Taliban and al-Qaeda forces. The 75th Ranger Regiment, an elite special operations unit, conducted frequent direct-action missions.
The Department of Defense announced Clarkson's death on March 17, 2010. His body was returned to the United States. A memorial service was held at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, and he was buried at the Northern Lights Memorial Cemetery in Fairbanks, Alaska.
Sergeant Clarkson was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart, and Meritorious Service Medal. He is remembered on memorials for the 75th Ranger Regiment and at the Afghanistan War memorial at Joint Base Lewis-McChord.
Explore Further
SGT Joel Clarkson 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.
