Eppinger, Garrick Louis Jr

Staff Sergeant Garrick Louis Eppinger Jr. was a 25-year-old soldier from Appleton, Wisconsin. He served with the U.S. Army Reserve's 395th Ordnance Company, 687th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, part of the 310th Expeditionary Sustainment Command based in his hometown. Before his deployment to Afghanistan, his service had also taken him to the Philippines and the Horn of Africa.

According to the U.S. Department of Defense, Eppinger died on September 17, 2011, from wounds sustained in an indirect fire attack. The attack occurred at Bagram Airfield, a major coalition base north of Kabul. He was reportedly wounded by enemy mortar or rocket fire and later died from his injuries.

Eppinger was killed during Operation Enduring Freedom, the U.S.-led military campaign in Afghanistan that began in October 2001 following the September 11 attacks. The conflict involved coalition forces, the Afghan National Army, and insurgent groups, primarily the Taliban. Bagram Airfield was a frequent target for insurgent rocket and mortar attacks throughout the war.

His death was reported by the Defense Casualty Analysis System on the day he died. The Wisconsin National Guard and the Army Reserve publicly announced his passing. He was posthumously promoted from Sergeant to Staff Sergeant.

Staff Sergeant Eppinger is memorialized on the Afghanistan War Memorial at the Highground Veterans Memorial Park in Neillsville, Wisconsin. His name is also inscribed on the Wisconsin Veterans Museum's 'Roll of Honor.'

Staff Sergeant Eppinger 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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