Hartman, David James
Male
Verified U.S. Army Sergeant First Class David James Hartman, 27, was killed in a hostile incident in Timergara, Pakistan, on February 3, 2010.
Their Story
Sergeant First Class David James Hartman, 27, was a senior non-commissioned officer assigned to Company B, 96th Civil Affairs Battalion (Airborne), 95th Civil Affairs Brigade, based at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. His unit specialized in engaging with local populations in conflict zones, a role central to the U.S. military's counterinsurgency strategy.
On February 3, 2010, Hartman was killed in Timergara, in Pakistan's Lower Dir district. According to U.S. military reports, he was part of a team meeting with local officials when their compound was attacked by a suicide bomber. The blast killed three U.S. soldiers and a Pakistani soldier, and wounded several others.
Hartman's death occurred during Operation Enduring Freedom, the U.S.-led military campaign that began in October 2001 following the 9/11 attacks. While primarily focused on Afghanistan, the operation included a significant, though less publicized, military and civil affairs presence in Pakistan, particularly in the tribal regions along the Afghan border.
The attack was claimed by the Pakistani Taliban. A Pentagon statement confirmed the deaths and extended condolences to the families. Hartman's body was returned to the United States for burial.
Hartman is memorialized on the Afghanistan War casualty lists and by his unit. His role in civil affairs highlights the non-combat dimensions of the conflict, where soldiers worked in unstable environments to build local relationships.
Explore Further
Hartman 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.
