Cooper, William Justin Lee

William Justin Lee Cooper was a 22-year-old Marine from Eupora, Mississippi. He served as a Corporal with the 1st Battalion, 6th Marines, which was deployed as part of the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit Forward, II Marine Expeditionary Force, based at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.

Corporal Cooper died on May 19, 2008, at Forward Operating Base Dwyer in Helmand Province, Afghanistan. According to the Defense Department, his death was the result of a hostile incident. The Marine Corps did not release specific details of the event, but contemporaneous reports from the region indicate the base was frequently targeted by indirect fire, such as rocket or mortar attacks, from insurgent forces.

Cooper's death occurred during Operation Enduring Freedom, the U.S.-led military campaign in Afghanistan that began in October 2001. By 2008, the conflict had entered a period of intensified fighting, particularly in southern provinces like Helmand. Insurgent attacks, including the use of improvised explosive devices and indirect fire against coalition bases, were a persistent threat.

Following his death, Cooper's body was returned to the United States. A funeral service was held in his hometown of Eupora. The Department of Defense officially announced his death on May 21, 2008.

Corporal Cooper's name is listed on the Mississippi Veterans Memorial Cemetery wall in Newton and is inscribed on the Afghanistan War Memorial in Ocean Springs, Mississippi. He is remembered by his battalion and community.

Corporal Cooper 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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