Leonhardt, Brian Jeffery
Male
Verified U.S. Army Sergeant Brian Jeffery Leonhardt, 21, of Merrillville, Indiana, was killed in Nilay, Afghanistan, on January 6, 2012.
Their Story
Brian Jeffery Leonhardt was a 21-year-old soldier from Merrillville, Indiana. He served as a sergeant in the 713th Engineer Company (Sapper), part of the 113th Engineer Battalion, 81st Troop Command of the Indiana Army National Guard, based in Valparaiso.
On January 6, 2012, Sergeant Leonhardt was on a route clearance mission in the village of Nilay, located in the volatile Ghazni province of eastern Afghanistan. According to U.S. military reports, his unit was struck by an improvised explosive device. The blast killed Leonhardt and two other soldiers from his company, Specialist Christopher A. Patterson and Specialist Robert J. Tauteris Jr.
Leonhardt'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. The mission involved counter-insurgency operations against Taliban and al-Qaeda forces, with a significant focus on clearing IEDs, a leading cause of coalition casualties.
Following the incident, the Indiana National Guard confirmed the deaths. Governor Mitch Daniels ordered flags to be flown at half-staff. A memorial service was held at the Valparaiso National Guard armory, where he was remembered by his commanders as a dedicated soldier and a skilled sapper.
Sergeant Leonhardt's name is inscribed on the Indiana Fallen Heroes Memorial and the Afghanistan War Memorial at the Indiana War Memorial in Indianapolis. He was one of 2,356 American service members who died during Operation Enduring Freedom.
Explore Further
Sgt. Leonhardt 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.
