Hand, Nicholas Joel
Male
Verified Lance Corporal Nicholas Joel Hand, 20, of Kansas City, Missouri, was a U.S. Marine killed in hostile action on November 22, 2009, in Garmsir, Afghanistan.
Their Story
Nicholas Joel Hand was a 20-year-old Marine from Kansas City, Missouri. He served as a Lance Corporal with Fox Company, 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, part of Regimental Combat Team 7, 2nd Marine Expeditionary Brigade (Forward), based out of Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.
On November 22, 2009, Hand was killed by hostile fire in Garmsir district, Helmand province, Afghanistan. According to Marine Corps statements, he died while conducting combat operations in the volatile southern region of the country.
Hand's death occurred during Operation Enduring Freedom, the U.S.-led military campaign in Afghanistan that began in October 2001. In late 2009, U.S. forces, particularly Marines in Helmand, were engaged in a major troop surge aimed at clearing Taliban strongholds and stabilizing the region ahead of planned transitions.
His death was reported by the Department of Defense and noted in local media in Missouri. He was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart.
Lance Corporal Hand is remembered on memorials for Missouri's fallen and is one of 2,356 American service members who died during Operation Enduring Freedom.
Explore Further
Nicholas Joel Hand 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.
