Gallinger-long, Riley

Hospitalman Riley Gallinger-Long was a 19-year-old sailor from Cornelius, Oregon, who served as a Fleet Marine Force (FMF) corpsman. As a member of the 2nd Marine Division, his role was to provide medical support to U.S. Marines on the front lines. He had deployed to multiple regions, including the Philippines and the Horn of Africa, before his assignment to Afghanistan.

On August 11, 2011, Gallinger-Long was killed during a patrol in the Marjah district of Helmand province. According to the Department of Defense, he died from wounds sustained while conducting combat operations. The area was a known Taliban stronghold and a focal point of intense fighting during the U.S. troop surge.

His death occurred during Operation Enduring Freedom, the U.S.-led military campaign in Afghanistan that began in October 2001. By 2011, a surge of U.S. forces had been deployed to Helmand province to clear insurgent-held areas like Marjah. The Taliban employed insurgent tactics, including improvised explosive devices and small-arms fire, against coalition patrols.

Gallinger-Long's body was returned to the United States. He was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart and the Combat Action Ribbon. His death was reported by local and national news outlets, which noted his service as a Navy corpsman embedded with Marine units.

He is remembered by his family and community in Oregon. His name is inscribed on the Oregon Memorial for the Fallen in Salem and is listed on the Afghanistan War Memorial at the Oregon Military Museum.

Hospitalman Gallinger-Long 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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