Johnston, James Gregory
Male
Verified U.S. Army Sergeant James Gregory Johnston, 24, of Trumansburg, New York, died on June 25, 2019, in Uruzgan Province, Afghanistan, while serving with the 704th Ordnance Company.
Their Story
James Gregory Johnston was a 24-year-old sergeant from Trumansburg, New York. He served in the U.S. Army with the 704th Ordnance Company, 79th Ordnance Battalion, 71st Ordnance Group, based at Fort Hood, Texas. He deployed to Afghanistan as part of Operation Freedom's Sentinel.
On June 25, 2019, Sergeant Johnston died from wounds sustained in a combat engagement in Uruzgan Province, Afghanistan. The Department of Defense stated his death was the result of hostile action. He was one of two U.S. service members killed in Afghanistan on that date.
Operation Freedom's Sentinel was the U.S. military mission in Afghanistan that succeeded Operation Enduring Freedom in January 2015. Its stated objectives included training Afghan forces and conducting counterterrorism operations. By 2019, U.S. troop levels were reduced but combat deaths continued.
Johnston's death was reported by national and local news outlets. The Army posthumously awarded him the Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart, and Meritorious Service Medal. His remains were returned to the United States.
He is memorialized on the Afghanistan War Memorial at the Soldiers' and Sailors' Monument in Ithaca, New York. His name is inscribed on Panel 23W, Line 127 of the Afghanistan War Memorial at the National Infantry Museum in Georgia.
Explore Further
James Gregory Johnston was killed during Operation Freedom's Sentinel (ongoing since January 2015). See the full roster of those killed in this conflict.
Among those documented in the same conflict: Golden, Jonathan Joseph, Sanchez, Maria Victoria, Dawson, John Michael, Ruiz, Pablo Allende Iii.
