23/01/2026
Rylee McCollum was one of thirteen U.S. service members who lost their lives during an attack at Kabul’s airport amid the final days of the Afghanistan withdrawal. He was serving in a moment defined by uncertainty, pressure, and responsibility.
McCollum and his fellow service members were tasked with securing evacuation routes and protecting civilians during one of the most complex military operations in recent history. Their presence allowed thousands to reach safety during rapidly changing conditions.
Though his life was brief, McCollum’s service reflects a commitment shared by generations before him. His memory endures through the lives protected that day and through the collective promise to remember those who stood their post until the end.
Source / Credit:
U.S. Department of Defense casualty releases and publicly reported biographical accounts of Marine Rylee McCollum