Lopez, Rueben Jesus

Rueben Jesus Lopez was a Private First Class serving with Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 32nd Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, based at Fort Drum, New York. He was from the small agricultural community of Williams in Colusa County, California.

On August 11, 2011, Lopez was killed by enemy small-arms fire during a dismounted patrol in the village of Nalgham, located in the volatile Tangi Valley of Wardak province. The patrol was part of a larger security operation in the region.

Lopez'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 2011, the conflict was in its tenth year, with intense counterinsurgency operations focused on provinces like Wardak, east of Kabul.

His death was reported by the Department of Defense. Lopez was posthumously promoted from Private to Private First Class. He was survived by his mother, father, and siblings.

Lopez is memorialized on the Afghanistan War Memorial at the Colusa County Courthouse in California. His name is inscribed on Panel 9W, Line 127 of the Afghanistan War Memorial at the Colusa County Courthouse.

Pfc. Rueben J. Lopez 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.

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