Mitchem, Derek Damone

Derek Damone Mitchem was a Petty Officer Second Class in the United States Navy, assigned to Naval Communications Telecommunication Station (NAVCOMTELSTA) in Bahrain. His unit supported communications for U.S. military operations across the Middle East, including Operation Inherent Resolve.

According to the Department of Defense, Mitchem died on December 9, 2017, from wounds sustained in a non-combat incident in Iraq. The incident occurred on December 4, 2017, and he was subsequently medically evacuated to Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany, where he died five days later. The Navy stated the incident was under investigation.

Operation Inherent Resolve is the U.S.-led coalition campaign against the Islamic State (ISIS) in Iraq and Syria. It began with airstrikes in August 2014 after ISIS seized large territories, including the city of Mosul. The operation involved training, advising, and assisting local partner forces, with U.S. personnel serving in support and advisory roles, often in non-frontline positions.

The Navy announced Mitchem's death in a press release. He was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart medal. His death was reported by several news outlets, including Military Times and Stars and Stripes, which noted he was the second U.S. service member to die in Iraq that week.

Mitchem is memorialized on the Navy Memorial's roll of honor. His name is listed on the website 'Together We Served,' and he is remembered by fellow service members from his unit in Bahrain.

Derek Mitchem was killed during Operation Inherent Resolve (ongoing since 2014). See the full roster of those killed in this conflict.

Among those documented in the same conflict: Villotcarrasco, Yeshabel, Spears, Jordan Lee, Walker, Jonathan Doyle, Neal, Sean Patrick.

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