Battle of Ganjgal

Part of War in Afghanistan

Date	September 8, 2009
Location	Ganjgal village, Kunar Province, Afghanistan
Result	Taliban cleared out of village, heavy US and Afghan casualties

Belligerents

United States

Afghanistan

Taliban

Commanders and leaders

Maj Kevin Williams
Cpt William D. Swenson
Capt Ademola D. Fabayo
1st Sgt Christopher Garza

Units involved

Joint /

U.S. Marine Corps/U.S. Army Embedded Training Team 2-8
Afghan Army (1st Kandak, 2nd BDE, 201st Corps)
Afghan Border Police

Taliban fighters

Strength

16 US Embedded Forces 2 ANA PLT Approx 60

1 ABP PLT Approx 30

Approx 150 AAF

Casualties and losses

U.S.: 5 KIA

ANA: 8 KIA

Approx 16 KIA

United States

Joint /

16 US Embedded Forces 2 ANA PLT Approx 60

U.S.: 5 KIA

The Battle of Ganjgal was a battle in the War in Afghanistan fought between American and Afghan forces and the Taliban in Kunar Province, Afghanistan on September 8, 2009. Complaints that the coalition casualties were avoidable and caused by a failure of the chain of command to provide fire support for the team triggered an official investigation and a series of reprimands to several US military officers. Army Captain William D. Swenson and Marine Corporal Dakota Meyer received the Medal of Honor for their actions during the battle. Meyer is the first living Marine to receive the Medal of Honor since the Vietnam War, and Swenson is the fifth living Soldier and first officer to receive the Medal of Honor since the Vietnam War. Two other Marines at the battle, Staff Sgt. Juan Rodriguez-Chavez and Capt. Ademola Fabayo, received the Navy Cross.

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Wikipedia