Dodds Dudley, Thomas Joseph
Male
Verified U.S. Marine Corps Staff Sergeant Thomas Joseph Dodds Dudley, 29, of Tega Cay, South Carolina, was killed in action on July 7, 2011, in Helmand province, Afghanistan.
Their Story
Staff Sergeant Thomas Joseph Dodds Dudley was a Marine assigned to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 264 (VMM-264), Marine Aircraft Group 26, 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, based at Marine Corps Air Station New River in Jacksonville, North Carolina. The squadron, which operates the MV-22B Osprey, had deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. Prior to his final deployment, Dudley had also served on missions in the Philippines and the Horn of Africa.
On July 7, 2011, Dudley was killed in Helmand province, a volatile region in southern Afghanistan that was a focal point for U.S. and coalition operations. According to U.S. Department of Defense casualty reports, his death was the result of hostile action. No further specifics regarding the incident were publicly released by the Marine Corps.
Dudley's death occurred during the latter stages of Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan, a conflict that began in October 2001. In late 2009, a U.S. troop surge was ordered, with a significant portion of those forces deployed to Helmand. By mid-2011, the first phases of a drawdown of those surge forces had been announced, but combat operations continued at a high intensity.
Following his death, Dudley was posthumously promoted from the rank of Sergeant to Staff Sergeant. He was survived by his wife and family in Tega Cay, South Carolina. His remains were returned to the United States, and he was buried with full military honors.
Staff Sergeant Dodds Dudley is memorialized on the Afghanistan War Memorial at the Marine Corps Air Station New River and is listed on the online casualty rolls maintained by the Department of Defense. His squadron, VMM-264, continued its mission in Afghanistan following his death.
Explore Further
Staff Sergeant Dodds Dudley 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.
