Kelly, Nigel David
Male
Verified U.S. Army Staff Sergeant Nigel David Kelly, 26, of Menifee, California, was killed in a hostile incident in the Watahpur District of Afghanistan on June 25, 2011.
Their Story
Staff Sergeant Nigel David Kelly was a 26-year-old soldier from Menifee, California. He served with Company A, 3rd Brigade Special Troops Battalion, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, based at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii. According to military records, his service included deployments to Afghanistan, the Philippines, and the Horn of Africa.
On June 25, 2011, Kelly died in Watahpur District, Nuristan province, Afghanistan. The U.S. Department of Defense stated his death was the result of hostile fire. Reports from the time indicate his unit was engaged by insurgent small-arms fire during combat operations.
Kelly's death occurred during Operation Enduring Freedom, the U.S.-led military campaign in Afghanistan that began in October 2001. In 2011, U.S. forces were engaged in a counterinsurgency strategy, with troops like those in Nuristan province conducting patrols and operations in remote, mountainous districts known for insurgent activity.
His death was recorded in the Defense Casualty Analysis System on the day it occurred. The Pentagon released his name and unit, and his hometown newspaper, The Press-Enterprise, noted his passing among other local service members killed in Afghanistan.
Kelly is memorialized on the Afghanistan War casualty lists maintained by the U.S. government and on several online veterans' memorial sites. His name is inscribed on the Afghanistan War Memorial at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii, honoring soldiers from his brigade who died during the conflict.
Explore Further
Staff Sergeant Nigel David Kelly 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.
