Hargrove, Zachary Hayden

Staff Sergeant Zachary Hayden Hargrove was a 32-year-old soldier from Wichita, Kansas. He served with the Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment, 84th Explosive Ordnance Disposal Battalion, 71st Ordnance Group (EOD), based at Fort Riley, Kansas. The battalion specializes in the identification and disposal of improvised explosive devices and other hazardous munitions.

Hargrove died on May 3, 2012, at Bagram Airfield in Parwan Province, Afghanistan. According to a Department of Defense news release, he was killed by enemy small arms fire. The incident occurred during a mission in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

Operation Enduring Freedom was the official name for the U.S.-led military campaign in Afghanistan, which began in October 2001 following the September 11 attacks. The mission evolved from direct combat against al-Qaeda and the Taliban to a broader counterinsurgency and training role for Afghan security forces. The conflict saw sustained combat in eastern provinces like Parwan through 2012.

Following his death, Hargrove was posthumously promoted from Sergeant First Class to Staff Sergeant. His awards included the Bronze Star Medal and Purple Heart. A memorial service was held at Fort Riley, and his name is inscribed on the Global War on Terrorism memorial at the base.

Hargrove is remembered by his unit and family as a dedicated EOD technician. His service is documented in the Defense Casualty Analysis System and on memorial walls honoring those who died in the Afghanistan war.

Staff Sergeant Hargrove 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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