Hinkley, Wesley James
Male
Verified U.S. Army Major Wesley James Hinkley, 36, of Carlisle, Pennsylvania, was killed in action in Baghdad, Iraq, on April 4, 2011.
Their Story
Major Wesley James Hinkley was a 36-year-old U.S. Army officer from Carlisle, Pennsylvania. He served with the 24th Financial Management Company, 3rd Special Troops Battalion, 3rd Sustainment Brigade, based at Fort Stewart, Georgia.
On April 4, 2011, Hinkley died in Baghdad, Iraq. The Department of Defense announced his death the same day, stating he was killed in action. He was one of four U.S. service members killed in separate attacks across Iraq that day, which included rocket and small-arms fire.
Hinkley died during Operation New Dawn, the final phase of the U.S. military mission in Iraq that lasted from September 2010 to December 2011. The operation followed the official end of major combat operations and focused on advising and assisting Iraqi security forces. The period saw a continued, though reduced, level of insurgent attacks against remaining U.S. troops.
Following his death, the Army posthumously awarded Hinkley the Bronze Star Medal and Purple Heart. His remains were returned to the United States, and he was buried with military honors.
Hinkley is memorialized on the Iraq War Memorial at the Veterans Memorial Park in Bakersfield, California, and on online veteran memorials. His death was reported by national news outlets as part of the final casualties of the nearly nine-year war.
Explore Further
Major Hinkley was killed during Operation New Dawn (2010?2011). The conflict concluded in December 2011. See the full roster of those killed in this conflict.
Among those documented in the same conflict: Jenkins, Phillip Chad, Mcclamrock, James Fleet, Hansen, James Arthur, Burner, John Franklin Iii.
