Marchanti, Robert Joseph Ii
Male
Verified Major Robert Joseph Marchanti II, 48, of Baltimore, Maryland, was a U.S. Army National Guard officer. He died in a hostile incident in Kabul, Afghanistan, on February 25, 2012.
Their Story
Major Robert Joseph Marchanti II was a 48-year-old officer from Baltimore, Maryland, serving with the U.S. Army National Guard. He was assigned to Detachment 1, Headquarters, 29th Infantry Division, based in his hometown. A career soldier, his service spanned multiple decades and included deployments in support of U.S. military operations.
On February 25, 2012, Marchanti was killed inside the Afghan Interior Ministry building in central Kabul. According to U.S. and Afghan officials, an Afghan police officer turned his weapon on two American officers during a meeting. Marchanti and Army Lieutenant Colonel John Darin Loftis were shot and killed at close range. The assailant reportedly fled the scene.
The attack occurred during Operation Enduring Freedom, the U.S.-led military campaign in Afghanistan that began in October 2001. The incident took place amid a period of heightened insider attacks, known as 'green-on-blue' incidents, targeting coalition personnel. These attacks strained the partnership between international forces and their Afghan counterparts.
The U.S. Department of Defense officially announced Marchanti's death on February 26, 2012. His body was returned to the United States. The Afghan government condemned the shooting and stated an investigation was launched to apprehend the attacker.
Major Marchanti was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star Medal and Purple Heart. He is remembered by his unit and community as a dedicated soldier. His name is inscribed on the National 9/11 Pentagon Memorial, honoring those killed in the attack on the Pentagon and in the subsequent wars.
Explore Further
Major Marchanti 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.
