Harris, Joshua William
Male
Verified Sgt. Joshua William Harris, 21, of Romeoville, Illinois, was a soldier with Battery B, 2nd Battalion, 122nd Field Artillery, Illinois Army National Guard. He died on September 17, 2008, south of Forward Operating Base Gardez, Afghanistan.
Their Story
Joshua William Harris was a 21-year-old from Romeoville, Illinois, who served as a sergeant in the Illinois Army National Guard. He was assigned to Battery B, 2nd Battalion, 122nd Field Artillery Regiment, based in Robbins, Illinois.
On September 17, 2008, Harris was killed by enemy fire while on patrol in the rugged terrain south of Forward Operating Base Gardez in Paktia Province, Afghanistan. The Department of Defense announced his death the following day, stating he died of wounds sustained from hostile fire.
Harris was deployed as part of Operation Enduring Freedom, the U.S.-led military campaign in Afghanistan that began in October 2001 following the September 11 attacks. In 2008, the conflict saw a significant increase in U.S. troop levels and combat operations, particularly in the volatile eastern provinces along the border with Pakistan.
His death was reported by local and national news outlets, including the Chicago Tribune, which noted his hometown. The Illinois National Guard and his community mourned the loss of the young soldier.
Harris is memorialized on the Illinois Fallen Heroes website and at the Robbins-based armory of his unit. He was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star Medal and Purple Heart.
Explore Further
Sgt. Joshua Harris 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.
