Ebbers, James Henry

James Henry Ebbers was a 19-year-old from Tinley Park, Illinois, who enlisted in the United States Army. He served as a Private Second Class (PV2) with the 551st Military Police Company, based at Fort Campbell, Kentucky.

On October 14, 2002, Ebbers was killed in action at Camp Lemonier, a U.S. military base in Djibouti, East Africa. The Department of Defense stated he died from injuries sustained in a vehicle accident while on patrol. He was the first U.S. service member reported killed in the Horn of Africa region as part of Operation Enduring Freedom.

Operation Enduring Freedom was the U.S.-led military campaign launched in October 2001 in response to the September 11 attacks. Its initial objective was to dismantle al-Qaeda and remove the Taliban regime in Afghanistan. The operation later expanded to include counter-terrorism efforts in other regions, including the Horn of Africa, where U.S. forces were stationed to monitor potential threats.

Ebbers's death was reported by major news outlets, including the Chicago Tribune, which noted his local ties. The Army notified his family in Tinley Park. He was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart and the Army Good Conduct Medal.

He is memorialized on the Global War on Terrorism memorial at Fort Campbell and on online veterans' memorials. His name is listed among the fallen from Operation Enduring Freedom.

James Henry Ebbers 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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