<Tr> <Th> Awards </Th> <Td> Intelligence Star Exceptional Service Medallion </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Th> Other work </Th> <Td> Central Intelligence Agency (1999 - 2001) </Td> </Tr> <P> 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 . </P> <P> 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 . </P>

Who was the first american killed in afghanistan