Cotisears, Niall William
Male
Verified Niall William Cotisears, a 23-year-old Lance Corporal in the U.S. Marine Corps from Arlington, Virginia, was killed in Helmand province, Afghanistan, on June 23, 2012.
Their Story
Niall William Cotisears was a Lance Corporal serving with the 1st Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, based at Twentynine Palms, California. He was a native of Arlington, Virginia, and was 23 years old at the time of his death. His service included deployments to Afghanistan, the Philippines, and the Horn of Africa.
On June 23, 2012, Cotisears was killed in Helmand province, a volatile region in southern Afghanistan. The U.S. Department of Defense stated he died of wounds sustained from enemy small arms fire while conducting combat operations. He was one of at least three U.S. service members killed in Afghanistan that day.
His death occurred during Operation Enduring Freedom, the U.S.-led military campaign in Afghanistan that began in October 2001. In 2012, Helmand province remained a focal point of intense fighting between coalition forces and Taliban insurgents, particularly around key districts like Sangin and Marjah.
Following his death, the Marine Corps released a statement confirming his loss. He was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart. A memorial service was held at his home base in Twentynine Palms, and he was buried at Arlington National Cemetery.
Cotisears is listed on the Afghanistan War Memorial at the Marine Corps Museum and on online memorials for fallen service members. His name is recorded on Panel 10W, Line 127 of the Afghanistan War Memorial at the National Museum of the Marine Corps.
Explore Further
Lance Corporal Cotisears 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.
