Merola, Dylan Ryan

Dylan Ryan Merola grew up in Rancho Cucamonga, California. He enlisted in the United States Marine Corps and was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 1st Marines, part of the Ground Combat Element of a Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force based at Camp Pendleton, California.

On August 26, 2021, Merola was among the service members providing security at Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul during the evacuation of U.S. citizens and Afghan allies. At approximately 5:50 p.m. local time, a suicide bomber detonated an explosive device at the airport's Abbey Gate. The blast killed 13 U.S. service members, including Merola, and at least 170 Afghan civilians.

Merola's death occurred during Operation Freedom's Sentinel, the U.S. military mission in Afghanistan that succeeded Operation Enduring Freedom in 2015. The operation involved counter-terrorism and advisory roles. The evacuation at the airport followed the Taliban's rapid takeover of the country as U.S. forces prepared to withdraw.

Merola's death was confirmed by the U.S. Department of Defense. His body was returned to the United States in a dignified transfer at Dover Air Force Base. His family and community in Rancho Cucamonga held memorial services.

Merola was posthumously promoted to the rank of Lance Corporal. He was awarded the Purple Heart. A memorial plaque was later dedicated in his honor at Los Osos High School, which he attended.

Lance Cpl. Merola was killed during Operation Freedom's Sentinel (2015?2021). The conflict concluded in August 2021. See the full roster of those killed in this conflict.

Among those documented in the same conflict: Golden, Jonathan Joseph, Sanchez, Maria Victoria, Dawson, John Michael, Ruiz, Pablo Allende Iii.

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