Hyland, Joshua Michael
Male
Verified First Lieutenant Joshua Michael Hyland, 31, of Missoula, Montana, was a U.S. Army infantry officer. He was killed in a hostile incident in Baylough, Afghanistan, on August 21, 2005, during Operation Enduring Freedom.
Their Story
Joshua Michael Hyland was a 31-year-old from Missoula, Montana, who served as a First Lieutenant in the U.S. Army. He was assigned to Company B, 2nd Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment, part of Combined Joint Task Force-76 based out of Camp Ederle, Italy. His unit was deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
On August 21, 2005, Hyland was killed in the district of Baylough, in Afghanistan's Zabul province. According to the Department of Defense, his unit was conducting a combat patrol when it came under enemy small-arms fire. Hyland died from wounds sustained in that engagement.
By 2005, Operation Enduring Freedom was in its fourth year. The conflict had seen the initial overthrow of the Taliban government in late 2001, followed by a protracted counterinsurgency campaign. U.S. and coalition forces operated across Afghanistan, with Zabul province being a known area of insurgent activity and frequent clashes.
The Department of Defense announced Hyland's death on August 22, 2005. His death was reported by national and local news outlets, including the Associated Press and the *Missoulian* newspaper in his hometown. He was survived by his wife and other family members.
Hyland was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star Medal and Purple Heart. He is memorialized on the Afghanistan War Memorial at the University of Montana and is listed on the U.S. Army's Fallen Heroes website.
Explore Further
First Lieutenant Joshua Hyland 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.
