Friese, William Edward
Male
Verified Staff Sergeant William Edward Friese, 30, of Rockport, West Virginia, died on July 18, 2019, at Camp Buehring, Kuwait, while deployed in support of Operation Inherent Resolve.
Their Story
Staff Sergeant William Edward Friese was a 30-year-old soldier from Rockport, West Virginia. He served with the West Virginia Army National Guard's 821st Engineer Company, 1092nd Engineer Battalion, based in Summersville.
According to the U.S. Department of Defense, Friese died on July 18, 2019, at Camp Buehring, a staging base in northern Kuwait. The official casualty report listed his death as 'killed in action,' but the specific incident details were not publicly released. He was supporting Operation Inherent Resolve.
Operation Inherent Resolve is the U.S.-led military intervention against the Islamic State (ISIS) in Iraq and Syria. It began in August 2014 after ISIS seized large territories, including the city of Mosul. The campaign involved coalition airstrikes and ground support to local forces.
Friese's death was announced by West Virginia's governor and senators. The 821st Engineer Company held a memorial ceremony in Kuwait. His body was returned to West Virginia, where he was buried with military honors.
He was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star Medal and Purple Heart. Friese is remembered in his community as a dedicated soldier. His name is recorded on the National Guard Memorial in Charleston and in the Defense Casualty Analysis System.
Explore Further
William Friese was killed during Operation Inherent Resolve (ongoing since 2014). See the full roster of those killed in this conflict.
Among those documented in the same conflict: Villotcarrasco, Yeshabel, Spears, Jordan Lee, Walker, Jonathan Doyle, Neal, Sean Patrick.
