Morgantown in Monongalia County, West Virginia — The American South (Appalachia)

Shane Childers

Salt Rock, WV

Photographed by Bradley Owen, June 24, 2021

1. Shane Childers Marker

Inscription. First Lieutenant
United States Marine Corps
March 21, 2003 - South Iraq
America's first casualty in "Operation Iraqi Freedom.” Killed in firefight while securing an oil platform in the first hours of the war.

Erected by Parents Judy and Joseph Childers.

Topics. This memorial is listed in this topic list: War, 2nd Iraq. A significant historical date for this entry is March 21, 2003.

Location. 39° 37.245′ N, 79° 58.002′ W. Memorial is in Morgantown, West Virginia, in Monongalia County. It can be reached from Don Knotts Boulevard (U.S. 119) half a mile north of Callen Avenue, on the right when traveling south. Marker is located at the south edge of the parking area for Caperton Trail Park. Touch for map. Memorial is at or near this postal address: 482 Don Knotts Blvd, Morgantown WV 26501, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this memorial is in North Central West Virginia.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

in Appalachia,

and specifically in Northern Appalachia. Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically,

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it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: 1Lt Jacob "Jake" Fritz (here, next to this marker); SSG Gene A. Vance, Jr. (here, next to this marker); Sergeant George A. Mitchell, Jr. (here, next to this marker); SSG Anissa Shero (a few steps from this marker); The Ghost of a Train (within shouting distance of this marker); Beacon (approx. 0.2 miles away); Monongalia County War Memorial (approx. 0.2 miles away); Ford House (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Morgantown.

Other markers no longer nearby. Patrick Dunn (was about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line but has been confirmed missing); James K. Samuel, Jr. (was about 400 feet away but has been confirmed missing); Norman Rossinow (was about 400 feet away but has been confirmed missing).

Also see . . . Shane Childers: First U.S. Casualty in Iraq (NPR, March 18, 2007).

"Marine 1st Lt. Therrel Shane Childers was 30 years old when he was killed in Iraq on March 21, 2003. He was the first U.S. serviceman
Photographed by Bradley Owen, June 24, 2021

2. Shane Childers Marker
Marker is located in the front right of the photo.
to die in the Iraq war."

(Submitted on July 5, 2021.)

Credits. This page was last revised on August 12, 2021. It was originally submitted on June 27, 2021, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia. This page has been viewed 441 times since then and 37 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 27, 2021, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.