Large, Samuel Wayne Jr

Samuel Wayne Large Jr. was a 21-year-old Marine from Villa Rica, Georgia. He served as a Lance Corporal with Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 464 (HMH-464), Marine Aircraft Group 29, 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, based at Marine Corps Air Station New River in Jacksonville, North Carolina.

On February 17, 2006, Large was killed during combat operations in the Kunar Province of Afghanistan. According to the U.S. Department of Defense, his unit was engaged in support of Operation Enduring Freedom when he died from wounds sustained during an enemy engagement.

By 2006, Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan was in its fifth year. The Taliban had regrouped and intensified its insurgency, leading to a significant increase in the use of improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and direct fire attacks against coalition forces. U.S. and allied troops conducted counterinsurgency operations primarily in the country's eastern and southern regions.

Following his death, Large was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart. His remains were returned to Georgia, where he was buried with military honors. The Department of Defense officially notified his family, and his death was reported in local and national media.

Lance Cpl. Large is memorialized on the Afghanistan War Memorial at the Georgia National Cemetery and on online veterans' memorials. His name is listed on the 'Marines Lost in 2006' roll and other commemorative sites for fallen service members.

Lance Cpl. Samuel Large 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: Santos, Dave Michael Maliksi, Andrews, Evander Earl, Edmunds, Jonn Joseph, Stonesifer, Kristofor Tif.

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