Emrick, Jordan Blake

Jordan Blake Emrick was a 26-year-old from the small village of Hoyleton, Illinois. He served as a Staff Sergeant in the United States Marine Corps, assigned to the 1st Explosive Ordnance Disposal Company, 7th Engineer Support Battalion, 1st Marine Logistics Group (Forward), I Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward), based at Camp Pendleton, California. His unit specialized in the high-risk task of locating and disarming improvised explosive devices (IEDs).

On November 5, 2010, Emrick was conducting combat operations in Helmand province, a volatile region in southern Afghanistan. According to the Department of Defense, he died from wounds sustained in a hostile incident. The Marine Corps did not release further operational specifics, citing standard procedure.

His death occurred during Operation Enduring Freedom, the U.S.-led military campaign in Afghanistan that began in October 2001 following the 9/11 attacks. By late 2010, the conflict was marked by a significant U.S. troop surge, with intense counterinsurgency operations focused on Taliban strongholds in provinces like Helmand and Kandahar.

Emrick's death was officially announced by the Department of Defense. He was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart. His body was returned to Illinois, where a funeral service was held.

Staff Sergeant Emrick is remembered on memorial walls and by veterans' organizations. His name is inscribed on the Sangamon County War Memorial in Springfield, Illinois, and he is listed in the Pentagon's online casualty database.

Staff Sergeant Emrick 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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