Dawson, John Michael

John Michael Dawson was born in Whitinsville, Massachusetts. He enlisted in the U.S. Army and was assigned as a cavalry scout to Headquarters and Headquarters Troop, 1st Squadron, 33rd Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division, based at Fort Campbell, Kentucky.

On April 8, 2015, Dawson was providing security for a U.S. Department of Defense linguist at the entrance to the Afghan National Army base in Jalalabad, Nangarhar province. According to U.S. military reports, an individual wearing an Afghan National Army uniform opened fire on the pair. Dawson and the linguist were both killed in the attack. The Pentagon stated the incident was under investigation.

Dawson's death occurred during Operation Freedom's Sentinel, the U.S.-led NATO mission that succeeded the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) combat mission on January 1, 2015. The operation's stated objectives were to train, advise, and assist Afghan security forces and conduct counterterrorism operations. The attack in Jalalabad was one of several insider, or 'green-on-blue,' incidents recorded during the conflict.

Dawson's body was returned to the United States. He was posthumously promoted from Specialist to Corporal. The Army awarded him the Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart, and Meritorious Service Medal. His funeral was held in his hometown of Whitinsville.

Dawson was remembered by his unit and community as a dedicated soldier. His name is inscribed on the Massachusetts Fallen Heroes memorial in Boston. His death was reported by national news outlets, marking another casualty in the long-running war.

John Michael Dawson was killed during Operation Freedom's Sentinel (ongoing since 2015). See the full roster of those killed in this conflict.

Among those documented in the same conflict: Golden, Jonathan Joseph, Gonzalez, Jose Juan, Sanchez, Maria Victoria, Ruiz, Pablo Allende Iii.

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