Sam Alexander (Royal Marine) Explained

Samuel Giles William Alexander (16 June 1982 − 27 May 2011^[1]) was a Royal Marine whose death by an improvised explosive device (IED) while on a patrol in 2011 during the War in Afghanistan received 3/4 front page as part of cover story questioning the Government's foreign policy by his journalist father in The Independent,^[2] which had taken a strong stance against parts of the United Kingdom's involvement in the War on Terror.^[3] Alexander's Military Cross awarded on previous tour of duty contributed to extensive national media coverage after the Ministry of Defence announcement^[1] of his and his patrol leader's deaths during Operation Herrick in Helmand Province in 2011.^{[4] [5] [6] [7] [8] [9]} Their deaths were also later included in speech by Richard Drax in the House of Commons^[10] and extensively referenced by national media as mitigating circumstances in connection with the 2013 conviction of Sgt. Alexander Blackman for murder of an injured Afghan combatant (a.k.a. 2011 Helmand Province incident) and his subsequent reduced sentence in 2017 of manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility.^{[11] [12] [13] [14] [15] [16]}

See also

• British Forces casualties in Afghanistan since 2001
• Operation Herrick
• 2011 Helmand Province incident

Notes and References

1. https://www.gov.uk/government/fatalities/lieutenant-oliver-richard-augustin-and-marine-samuel-giles-william-alexander-mc-killed-in-afghanistan|title=Lieutenant Oliver Richard Augustin and Marine Samuel Giles William Alexander MC killed in Afghanistan
2. https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/asia/was-my-sons-death-in-afghanistan-a-price-worth-paying-2290769.html Was my son's death in Afghanistan a price worth paying?
3. https://www.theguardian.com/media/2003/jan/27/theindependent.pressandpublishing Independent tries direct hit on rival
4. https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/defence/8544915/Royal-Marine-killed-in-Afghanistan-was-awarded-Military-Cross-for-bravery.html Royal Marine killed in Afghanistan was awarded Military Cross for bravery
5. https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/military-cross-winner-is-one-of-two-131427 Military Cross winner is one of two British soldiers killed in Afghanistan
6. https://www.channel4.com/news/marine-war-hero-killed-alongside-patrol-leader-in-helmand Marine war hero killed alongside patrol leader in Helmond
7. https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2011/may/29/tributes-paid-royal-marines-killed-afghanistan Tributes paid to Royal Marines killed in Afghanistan
8. https://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/249646/War-hero-and-officer-die-in-Taliban-blast War hero and officer die in Taliban blast
9. https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-13805591 Funeral for Military Cross marine
10. https://hansard.parliament.uk/Commons/2015-09-16/debates/15091640000001/SgtAlexanderBlackman(MarineA) Sgt Alexander Blackman (Marine A)
11. https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/death-of-adored-leader-left-marine-in-mood-for-murder-98252wlx5h5 Death of adored leader left marine in mood for murder
12. https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2013/dec/05/royal-marine-alexander-blackman-murdered-taliban-anonymous Marine who murdered Taliban prisoner loses fight to remain anonymous
13. https://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/446935/Royal-Marine-who-murdered-insurgent-named-as-Sgt-Alexander-Wayne-Blackman Royal Marine who murdered insurgent named as Sgt Alexander Wayne Blackman
14. https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/03/15/marine-six-months-led-killing-taliban-insurgent/ Marine A: How six months of 'hell' led to killing of Taliban insurgent
15. https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/marines-on-tour-from-hell-had-1-in-17-chance-of-death-or-serious-injury-8kpkgb7wd Marines on tour from hell had a 1 in 17 chance of death or injury
16. https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/top-brass-were-warned-about-out-of-control-marine-unit-lk6dzdhtn Top brass were warned about ‘out of control’ Marine unit