Nikoui, Kareem Maelee Grant
Male
Verified Lance Corporal Kareem Maelee Grant Nikoui, 20, of Norco, California, was a U.S. Marine killed in a suicide bombing at Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul, Afghanistan, on August 26, 2021.
Their Story
Kareem Nikoui was a lance corporal in the United States Marine Corps, assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 1st Marines, based at Camp Pendleton, California. He was from Norco, California, a city known for its equestrian culture and support for the military. Nikoui was deployed to Afghanistan in 2021 as part of the U.S. military's non-combatant evacuation operation following the Taliban's takeover of the country.
On August 26, 2021, Nikoui was among the service members providing security at the Abbey Gate entrance to Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul. A suicide bomber detonated an explosive vest in the dense crowd of Afghans and U.S. personnel gathered at the gate. The blast killed 13 U.S. service members, including Nikoui, and at least 170 Afghan civilians. The Islamic State ? Khorasan Province (ISIS-K) claimed responsibility for the attack.
The attack occurred during Operation Freedom's Sentinel, the official name for the U.S. military mission in Afghanistan from 2015 until its conclusion in August 2021. The mission followed the larger Operation Enduring Freedom and was focused on training Afghan forces and conducting counterterrorism operations. The final phase involved the evacuation of U.S. citizens and Afghan allies as U.S. forces withdrew.
Nikoui's death was confirmed by the U.S. Department of Defense. His body was returned to the United States, and a memorial service was held in his hometown. His family described him as a dedicated Marine who had wanted to serve since childhood and who was proud of his role in the evacuation.
Lance Corporal Nikoui was posthumously promoted to the rank of corporal. He was awarded the Purple Heart and the Combat Action Ribbon. His name is recorded on memorials for those killed in the Afghanistan War, and his story is cited in discussions about the final days of the U.S. military presence in the country.
Explore Further
Kareem Nikoui was killed during Operation Freedom's Sentinel (2015?2021). The conflict concluded in August 2021 with the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan. See the full roster of those killed in this conflict.
Among those documented in the same conflict: Sanchez, Maria Victoria, Dawson, John Michael, Ruiz, Pablo Allende Iii, Mckenna, Peter Andrew Jr.
