Golding, Nicholes Darwin
Male
Verified U.S. Army Sergeant Nicholes Darwin Golding, 24, of Addison, Maine, died on February 13, 2004, in Ghazni, Afghanistan, during Operation Enduring Freedom.
Their Story
Nicholes Darwin Golding was a 24-year-old sergeant from the small town of Addison, Maine. He served with Charlie Company, 2nd Battalion, 87th Infantry Regiment, 10th Mountain Division, based at Fort Drum, New York. His unit had deployed to Afghanistan as part of the U.S. military's Operation Enduring Freedom.
On February 13, 2004, Sergeant Golding was killed in Ghazni province, located in southeastern Afghanistan. According to the U.S. Department of Defense, he died from hostile fire. The specific incident was not detailed in initial casualty reports, but Ghazni was a known area of insurgent activity at the time.
Operation Enduring Freedom, the U.S.-led military campaign in Afghanistan, began in October 2001 following the September 11 attacks. By early 2004, the mission had shifted from major combat operations to a focus on counterinsurgency and stabilization. U.S. and coalition forces operated in provinces like Ghazni to disrupt Taliban and Al-Qaeda networks.
The Pentagon announced Golding's death on February 16, 2004. He was survived by his wife, parents, and siblings. His name is inscribed on the Maine Veterans' Memorial in Augusta and on the Global War on Terrorism memorial at Fort Drum.
Sergeant Golding's name is listed on the Afghanistan War memorial at the Maine Veterans' Home in Bangor. He is remembered by his community and fellow soldiers from the 10th Mountain Division, a unit that sustained significant casualties during the conflict.
Explore Further
Sergeant Golding 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: Santos, Dave Michael Maliksi, Andrews, Evander Earl, Edmunds, Jonn Joseph, Stonesifer, Kristofor Tif.
