Leggett, Matthew Ivan
Male
Verified U.S. Army Sergeant First Class Matthew Ivan Leggett, 39, of Ruskin, Florida, was killed in a hostile incident in Kabul, Afghanistan, on August 20, 2014.
Their Story
Sergeant First Class Matthew Ivan Leggett was a 39-year-old soldier from Ruskin, Florida. He served with Operations Company, Headquarters and Headquarters Battalion, XVIII Airborne Corps, based at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. According to military records, his service included deployments to Afghanistan, the Philippines, and the Horn of Africa.
On August 20, 2014, Leggett was shot and killed in an insider attack at a facility in Kabul. The assailant, reportedly an Afghan National Army soldier, opened fire on coalition personnel. The incident occurred at the Marshal Fahim National Defense University, a training academy for Afghan officers.
Leggett's death occurred during Operation Enduring Freedom, the U.S.-led military campaign in Afghanistan that began in October 2001. By 2014, the mission had shifted from major combat operations to a focus on training and advising Afghan security forces. Insider attacks, known as 'green-on-blue' incidents, were a persistent threat during this period.
The U.S. Department of Defense confirmed Leggett's death the following day. He was posthumously promoted from Staff Sergeant to Sergeant First Class. His awards included the Bronze Star Medal and Purple Heart.
Leggett was remembered by his unit as a dedicated non-commissioned officer. He is survived by his wife and children. His name is inscribed on the Afghanistan War Memorial at Fort Bragg.
Explore Further
SFC Matthew Leggett 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.
