Hansen, Justin Michael

Justin Michael Hansen was born in Traverse City, Michigan. He served on active duty in the United States Marine Corps, assigned to the 2nd Marine Special Operations Battalion, Marine Special Operations Team 8231, based out of Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.

On July 24, 2012, Sgt. Hansen was killed during a combat operation in the Bala Murghab district of Badghis province in northwestern Afghanistan. According to U.S. military reports, he died from wounds sustained in a hostile incident. No further operational details of the engagement were publicly released.

Hansen's death occurred during Operation Enduring Freedom, the U.S.-led military campaign in Afghanistan that began in October 2001. By 2012, the conflict was in a phase where U.S. and allied forces were focused on training Afghan security forces and conducting counterinsurgency operations, particularly in volatile regions like Badghis.

Following his death, Hansen's body was returned to the United States. His hometown of Traverse City held memorial observances. The Marine Corps confirmed his death in a press release, and he was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart medal.

Sgt. Hansen is remembered on memorial walls for fallen special operations personnel and by veterans' groups from Michigan. His name is inscribed on the Afghanistan War Memorial at the Veterans Memorial Park in Traverse City.

Sgt. Hansen 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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