Hess, Jacob Michael

Jacob Michael Hess was a 22-year-old sergeant from Spokane, Washington, serving in the United States Marine Corps. He was assigned to Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 26 (MALS-26), Marine Aircraft Group 26, part of the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing based in Jacksonville, North Carolina. According to Marine Corps records, his service included deployments to Afghanistan, the Philippines, and the Horn of Africa.

According to the U.S. Department of Defense, Hess died on January 1, 2014, in Helmand province, Afghanistan. The official casualty report listed his death as a result of hostile action. No further details of the specific incident were publicly released by the military.

Hess was killed during Operation Enduring Freedom, the U.S.-led military campaign in Afghanistan that began in October 2001. By early 2014, the mission was in a period of transition, with U.S. and coalition forces shifting from a combat role to one focused on training and advising Afghan security forces. Helmand province remained a major center of insurgent activity.

Following his death, Hess was posthumously promoted to the rank of sergeant. His body was returned to the United States, and a funeral service was held in his hometown of Spokane. The Marine Corps and local news outlets reported on the community's mourning and the tributes from his unit.

He is memorialized on the Afghanistan War casualty lists maintained by the Department of Defense and on several online veterans' memorial sites. His name is included on the 'Marines lost in 2014' roll of honor maintained by Marine Corps associations.

Sgt. Hess 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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