Johnny Michael Spann
| Johnny Micheal "Mike" Spann | |
|---|---|
Johnny Micheal Spann
|
|
| Born |
March 1, 1969 Winfield, Alabama, U.S. |
| Died | November 25, 2001 (aged 32) Qala-i-Jangi, Afghanistan |
| Buried | Arlington National Cemetery |
| Allegiance |
 United States of America
|
| Service/branch |
 United States Marine Corps Central Intelligence Agency
|
| Years of service | 1991–2001 |
| Rank |
 Captain
|
| Unit | Special Activities Division |
| Battles/wars | |
| Awards |
Intelligence Star Exceptional Service Medallion |
Johnny Micheal "Mike" Spann (March 1, 1969 – November 25, 2001) was a paramilitary operations officer in the Central Intelligence Agency's Special Activities Division. Spann was the first American killed in combat during the U.S. invasion of Afghanistan in 2001. He died at the Qala-i-Jangi fortress in a Taliban prisoner uprising.
Johnny Micheal Spann was from the small town of Winfield, Alabama, the son of a real estate agent and his wife. Spann graduated in 1987 from Winfield City High School, where he played football. At 17, he earned his private pilot license and later became a certified rescue diver and parachutist.
In December 1991, while attending Auburn University, he joined the Marine Corps Reserve. After graduating from Auburn with a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice/Law Enforcement in 1992, Spann attended the Marines' Officer Candidates School at Quantico, Virginia. He had originally wanted to go into aviation, but became a field artillery officer and eventually served with the elite 2nd Air Naval Gunfire Liaison Company. He specialized in directing indirect fire and close air support. In 1997, served as second-in-command for a joint exercise expedition in Latin America and Africa called "UNITAS."
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