Geary, Michael Erick

Michael Erick Geary grew up in Derry, New Hampshire. He enlisted in the United States Marine Corps and served as a lance corporal with the 2nd Battalion, 9th Marines, part of Regimental Combat Team 1, I Marine Expeditionary Force Forward, based out of Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.

On December 8, 2010, Geary was killed by enemy small-arms fire while conducting combat operations in the volatile Helmand province of southern Afghanistan. The Department of Defense announced his death the following day.

His death occurred during a period of intense fighting in Helmand, a Taliban stronghold and center of the opium trade. In late 2009, U.S. forces began a major troop surge into the region, with the 2nd Battalion, 9th Marines heavily engaged in clearing operations in and around the town of Marjah throughout 2010.

Geary's body was returned to New Hampshire. A funeral service was held at St. Thomas Aquinas Church in Derry, and he was buried with full military honors in the New Hampshire State Veterans Cemetery in Boscawen.

He was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart. In 2011, a memorial bridge on Route 28 in Derry was dedicated in his honor, bearing his name.

Lance Cpl. Geary 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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