Sgt. 1st Class Samuel Carlos Hairston
Born: June 22, 2024 in Sumter, South Carolina
Died: August 12, 2024 in Ghazni, Afghanistan
Sgt. 1st Class Samuel C. Hairston, 35, of Houston, Texas, died Aug. 12, in Ghazni, Afghanistan, of injuries sustained when his unit was engaged by enemy small-arms fire. Hairston was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, N.C. Sam joined the Army in March 2003. After initial training, he arrived at Fort Bragg in 2003 and was assigned to the 1st Brigade in August 2013. His battalion deployed to Afghanistan earlier this year. His awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal with three oak leaf clusters, Army Achievement Medal, Meritorious Unit Citation with two oak leaf clusters, Army Good Conduct Medal with two oak leaf clusters, the National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal with two Campaign Stars, Iraqi Campaign Medal with two Campaign Stars, the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon, the Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon with two oak leaf clusters and the NATO medal. His qualifications include the Ranger tab, Combat Infantryman Badge, Pathfinder Badge, Military Master Free Fall Parachutist Badge, the Basic Parachutist Badge, Drivers Badge and the Marine Qualification Badge Expert-Rifle. Beal Memorial Cemetery in Fort Walton Beach, Florida
I was part of Able Company 1-41 Infantry, operating with special forces when SFC Hairton was killed. I was five days out from leaving to head home when the call for al availble medics sounded on the base. Few hours later we formed up for the "Hero Flight" home. I will never forget that solute as he pased by us one last time heading toward the HLZ.