Smith, Lee Michael

Also known as: CW2, COMPANY A, 2D BATTALION, 17TH CALVARY REGIMENT, 101ST COMBAT AVIATION BRIGADE, FORT CAMPBELL, KY

Combatant

Male Verified

DiedNovember 11, 2017

Age35 years old

Location of DeathCAMP TAJI, IRAQ

Cause of DeathInjuries sustained in a non-combat vehicle rollover accident

Conflict Operation Inherent Resolve

Chief Warrant Officer 2 Lee Michael Smith, 35, of Arlington, Texas, was a U.S. Army aviator killed in action at Camp Taji, Iraq, on November 11, 2017.

Their Story

Chief Warrant Officer 2 Lee Michael Smith was a 35-year-old U.S. Army aviator from Arlington, Texas. He served with Company A, 2nd Battalion, 17th Cavalry Regiment, 101st Combat Aviation Brigade, based at Fort Campbell, Kentucky.

Smith died on November 11, 2017, at Camp Taji, a major coalition base north of Baghdad. According to the Department of Defense, he was killed in a non-combat incident while supporting Operation Inherent Resolve. The official release stated he died from injuries sustained in a vehicle rollover accident.

Operation Inherent Resolve, the U.S.-led coalition campaign against the Islamic State (ISIS), began in August 2014. By late 2017, major combat operations to recapture Iraqi cities like Mosul had concluded, but coalition forces remained in advisory and support roles, conducting training and counter-terrorism missions from bases like Camp Taji.

The Army announced Smith's death in a press release on November 13, 2017. He was posthumously promoted from Warrant Officer 1 to Chief Warrant Officer 2. His awards included the Army Achievement Medal and the National Defense Service Medal.

Smith is memorialized on the 101st Airborne Division's 'Screaming Eagle' casualty list and at Fort Campbell. His death is recorded among the more than 80 U.S. service members who died during Operation Inherent Resolve.