MSG Micheal B. Riley

25 June 2019, Afghanistan

Special Forces

Born in Germany, Master Sergeant Micheal B. Riley died on 25 June 2019 from wounds received in action while supporting Operation FREEDOM’S SENTINEL in Uruzgan Province, Afghanistan.

Riley enlisted in the Army in 2006. After completing Basic Combat Training at Fort Benning, Georgia, and Advanced Individual Training at Fort Gordon, Georgia, he served as a Radio Operator and Node Chief in the 112th Special Operations Command Europe Signal Detachment. He completed the Special Forces Qualification Course at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, in 2013, and was assigned as a Special Forces Communications Sergeant to 1st Battalion, 10th Special Forces Group, Panzer Kaserne, Germany. In 2017 he was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 10th Special Forces Group at Fort Carson, Colorado. He deployed six times in support of Operations ENDURING FREEDOM and FREEDOM’S SENTINEL in Afghanistan.

MSG Riley was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 10th Special Forces Group when he was fatally wounded by enemy small arms fire.