Douangdara, John

John Douangdara was a dog handler and Special Warfare Operator (SEAL) serving with the Naval Special Warfare Development Group, commonly known as SEAL Team Six. He was from South Sioux City, Nebraska, and was 26 years old at the time of his death.

On August 6, 2011, a CH-47 Chinook helicopter, call sign Extortion 17, was shot down while on a mission in the Tangi Valley of Wardak province. The helicopter was transporting a quick reaction force, including Douangdara and his military working dog, Bart. All 38 people on board?30 U.S. service members, 7 Afghan commandos, and 1 Afghan interpreter?were killed. The Taliban claimed responsibility for the downing.

Douangdara died during Operation Enduring Freedom, the U.S.-led military campaign in Afghanistan that began in October 2001. The incident occurred during a period of intense counter-insurgency operations, particularly in Afghanistan's eastern provinces. The loss of Extortion 17 was the single deadliest incident for U.S. forces in the entire war.

The Pentagon officially notified Douangdara's family of his death. He was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star with Valor and the Purple Heart. His military working dog, Bart, was also killed in the crash.

Douangdara is memorialized on the Navy SEAL Memorial at the Museum of the Forgotten Warriors in California and is listed on the Afghanistan War Memorial at the National Navy UDT-SEAL Museum in Florida. His name is included on the South Sioux City Veterans Memorial.

John Douangdara 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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