Saldana, Slayton Richard
Male
Verified Petty Officer Second Class Slayton Richard Saldana, 24, of Manassas, Virginia, was a U.S. Navy sailor who died on July 17, 2019, in Afghanistan while serving with Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron Five.
Their Story
Slayton Richard Saldana was a Petty Officer Second Class from Manassas, Virginia. He served in the U.S. Navy as a Naval Aircrewman (Mechanical) with Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron Five (HSC-5), known as the 'Nightdippers,' based at Naval Station Norfolk.
According to the Department of Defense, Saldana died on July 17, 2019, in Afghanistan. He was killed in action while supporting Operation Freedom's Sentinel. The Navy stated his death occurred in Parwan Province, home to Bagram Airfield, a major U.S. installation.
Operation Freedom's Sentinel was the U.S. military mission in Afghanistan that began on January 1, 2015, following the conclusion of the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) mission. Its stated objectives included counterterrorism operations and training, advising, and assisting Afghan security forces.
The Navy announced his death on July 19, 2019. His body was returned to the United States in a transfer ceremony at Dover Air Force Base, Delaware. He was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart medal.
Saldana was remembered by his squadron for his professionalism. His name is recorded on the Afghanistan War Memorial at the National Museum of the United States Navy and on the Manassas Veterans Memorial.
Explore Further
Saldana was killed during Operation Freedom's Sentinel (ongoing since 2015). 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.
