Jake Spann, and the war in Afghanistan, turn 18

Jake Spann was just 6 months old when his dad, CIA paramilitary officer Johnny "Mike" Spann was killed in action in Afghanistan, the first American casualty in the war. Now his son Jake, and that war in Afghanistan, have both turned 18.

Section:Gallery

Wed., Nov. 27, 2019

Jake Spann, 18, visits the grave of his father, CIA officer Johnny "Mike" Spann, at Arlington National Cemetery in July. Spann was the first American killed in action in Afghanistan 18 years ago.

Bill O'Leary The Washington Post
The day Spann left for Afghanistan, he posed for a picture at home with his children Emily, Jake and Alison.
The museum inside CIA headquarters in Northern Virginia features the Bible that was used during a memorial service for Mike Spann in Afghanistan.
Jake visits Arlington, where his father is buried.

Bill O'Leary The Washington Post
A memorial built in Spann's honor at Qala-i-Jangi in Afghanistan.

Family Photo Family Photo
Items left at the Spann grave.

Bill O'Leary The Washington Post
Emily, left, Alison and Jake, with their grandfather Johnny Spann, at the CIA Memorial Wall in 2018.