Herrera, Pernell Johnnie
Male
Verified Sgt. Pernell Johnnie Herrera, 33, of Espanola, New Mexico, was a U.S. Army soldier killed in action at Forward Operating Base Dwyer, Afghanistan, on December 31, 2011.
Their Story
Pernell Johnnie Herrera was a sergeant in the U.S. Army, assigned to Company C, 1st Battalion, 171st Aviation Regiment, a unit based in Santa Fe, New Mexico. The 33-year-old soldier was from the community of Espanola in Rio Arriba County.
According to the U.S. Department of Defense, Herrera died on December 31, 2011, at Forward Operating Base Dwyer in Helmand Province, Afghanistan. He was killed by enemy small arms fire while on guard duty. The base was a key logistics and aviation hub for coalition operations in southern Afghanistan.
His death occurred during Operation Enduring Freedom, the U.S.-led military campaign in Afghanistan that began in October 2001. By late 2011, the conflict was in its tenth year, with a significant U.S. troop presence focused on counterinsurgency and training Afghan forces.
The Army officially notified Herrera's family of his death on New Year's Day, 2012. He was posthumously promoted to the rank of sergeant. His remains were returned to the United States, and he was buried with military honors.
Sgt. Herrera is memorialized on the Afghanistan War casualty lists and by his unit. His name appears on the New Mexico Veterans' Memorial in Albuquerque.
Explore Further
Sgt. Herrera 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.
