SGT Joel D. Clarkson

16 March 2010, Afghanistan

Rangers

A native of Fairbanks, Alaska, Sergeant Joel D. Clarkson died on 16 March 2010 from wounds suffered on 13 March from enemy small arms fire in Helmand Province, Afghanistan. He was supporting Operation ENDURING FREEDOM.

Clarkson enlisted in the Army in February 2006. After graduating from the Ranger Indoctrination Program, he was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, Fort Lewis, Washington. He served as a grenadier and an automatic rifleman.

SGT Clarkson was serving as a team leader with 2nd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment when he was killed. He had three previous deployments to Iraq and was on his second deployment to Afghanistan.