Kropov, Serge
Male
Verified Private First Class Serge Kropov, 21, of Hawley, Pennsylvania, was a U.S. Marine with HMH-462. He was killed in action on December 20, 2009, at Camp Bastion, Afghanistan.
Their Story
Private First Class Serge Kropov was a 21-year-old from Hawley, a small town in northeastern Pennsylvania. He served as an active-duty Marine with Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 462 (HMH-462), part of Marine Aircraft Group 16, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, based at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, California.
According to the U.S. Department of Defense, Kropov died on December 20, 2009, at Camp Bastion, a major British-run airfield and military base in Helmand Province, Afghanistan. Official records list his death as a result of hostile action. No further operational details of the incident were publicly released.
Kropov's death occurred during Operation Enduring Freedom, the U.S.-led military campaign in Afghanistan that began in October 2001 following the September 11 attacks. By late 2009, the conflict was in a period of intense fighting, with a major troop surge underway and Helmand Province a focal point for coalition and insurgent forces.
The Department of Defense announced his death in a press release on December 22, 2009. His body was returned to the United States, and he was buried at the Indiantown Gap National Cemetery in Annville, Pennsylvania.
PFC Kropov is memorialized on the Fallen Heroes of Pennsylvania memorial and by veterans' organizations in his home state. His squadron, HMH-462, known as the 'Heavy Haulers,' continued operations in Afghanistan following his death.
Explore Further
PFC Serge Kropov 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.
