Gillespie, Randy Joe

Master Sergeant Randy Joe Gillespie was a 44-year-old U.S. Air Force non-commissioned officer from Coaldale, Colorado. He was assigned to the 56th Logistics Readiness Squadron, Luke Air Force Base, Arizona, a unit responsible for managing the supply, transportation, and maintenance support critical to military operations.

On July 9, 2007, Gillespie died in Herat province in western Afghanistan. According to the Department of Defense, his death was the result of a hostile event. Specific details of the incident, such as whether it involved small arms fire, an improvised explosive device, or a rocket attack, were not publicly released in initial reports.

Gillespie's death occurred during Operation Enduring Freedom, the U.S.-led military campaign in Afghanistan that began in October 2001. In mid-2007, NATO's International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) was expanding its presence into western provinces like Herat, where insurgent activity was increasing. Logistics personnel like Gillespie were essential to sustaining these forward-operating bases.

The Department of Defense announced his death on July 11, 2007. He was survived by his wife and children. His remains were returned to the United States, and he was buried with full military honors.

Master Sergeant Gillespie is memorialized on the Afghanistan War Memorial at the National Museum of the United States Air Force and on online veterans' memorials. His squadron at Luke Air Force Base was responsible for planning and executing the movement of personnel and cargo for deployment and training missions.

Master Sergeant Gillespie 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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