Lynch, Terry Jay
Male
Verified U.S. Army Sergeant Terry Jay Lynch, 22, of Shepherd, Montana, was killed in action on June 29, 2009, in Rte Montana, Afghanistan.
Their Story
Terry Jay Lynch was a 22-year-old soldier from Shepherd, Montana. He served as a sergeant with Troop A, 3rd Squadron, 71st Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, based at Fort Drum, New York. His unit deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
On June 29, 2009, Sergeant Lynch was killed by enemy fire in the Rte Montana area of Afghanistan, according to U.S. Department of Defense casualty reports. The area, also referred to as Route Montana, was a known insurgent transit route in eastern Afghanistan where U.S. forces conducted frequent security patrols.
Operation Enduring Freedom was the U.S.-led military campaign in Afghanistan that began in October 2001 following the September 11 attacks. By 2009, the conflict was in a period of intense counterinsurgency operations, with U.S. troop levels increasing significantly. Sergeant Lynch's death occurred during this surge period.
His death was reported by the Department of Defense and noted in regional news coverage. He was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star Medal and Purple Heart. A memorial service was held at Fort Drum.
Sergeant Lynch is remembered on memorial walls at Fort Drum and in his hometown. His name is inscribed on the 10th Mountain Division memorial and the Global War on Terrorism memorial in Shepherd, Montana.
Explore Further
Sergeant Lynch 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.
