Howard, Bryce Daniel
Male
Verified Sgt. Bryce Daniel Howard, 24, of Vancouver, Washington, was a U.S. Army engineer serving with the 585th Engineer Company, 864th Engineer Battalion, from Fort Lewis. He died in Jaji, Afghanistan, on August 28, 2007.
Their Story
Bryce Daniel Howard grew up in Vancouver, Washington, and enlisted in the United States Army. He was assigned as a sergeant to the 585th Engineer Company, part of the 864th Engineer Battalion based at Fort Lewis, Washington. The unit specialized in construction and route clearance.
On August 28, 2007, Sgt. Howard was killed by hostile fire in the Jaji district of Afghanistan's Paktiya province. According to the Department of Defense, he was conducting a mounted patrol when his vehicle was struck by an improvised explosive device. Two other soldiers were reportedly wounded in the same attack.
Howard's death occurred during Operation Enduring Freedom, the U.S.-led military campaign in Afghanistan that began in October 2001. By 2007, the conflict had entered a period of intense insurgent activity, with a marked increase in the use of IEDs against coalition forces. The Jaji area, near the border with Pakistan, was a known insurgent transit route.
The Department of Defense announced Howard's death on August 30, 2007. He was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart, and Good Conduct Medal. His remains were returned to the United States for burial.
Sgt. Howard is memorialized on the Afghanistan War Memorial at Fort Lewis and on online veterans' memorials. His unit, the 864th Engineer Battalion, continued its deployment in Afghanistan following his death.
Explore Further
Sgt. Bryce Howard 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.
