Kihm, John Francis
Male
Verified U.S. Army Private First Class John Francis Kihm, 19, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, was killed in action on April 19, 2011, in Kandahar, Afghanistan.
Their Story
John Francis Kihm was a 19-year-old soldier from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He served as a Private First Class with Company B, 1st Battalion, 32nd Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, based at Fort Drum, New York. His unit deployed to Afghanistan as part of Operation Enduring Freedom.
On April 19, 2011, the Department of Defense announced that Pfc. Kihm died in Kandahar province, Afghanistan. According to official reports, he was killed by an improvised explosive device while on a dismounted patrol. The incident occurred during a period of intense operations in the Taliban's historical heartland.
Kandahar province was a focal point of the U.S.-led coalition's counterinsurgency campaign in 2011. The 3rd Brigade Combat Team of the 10th Mountain Division, to which Kihm's regiment belonged, was engaged in clearing operations to secure key districts around Kandahar city. The use of improvised explosive devices was a primary cause of coalition casualties that year.
The Pentagon's casualty release listed Kihm's hometown and unit. Local media in Philadelphia reported his death, noting he was a graduate of Frankford High School. He was survived by his mother and other family members.
Pfc. John Kihm is memorialized on the 10th Mountain Division memorial at Fort Drum and on online veterans' memorials. His name is included on the Afghanistan War casualty rolls maintained by several research institutions.
Explore Further
John Kihm 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.
