His Story
Captain Jason Benjamin Jones
Jason was born on July 25, 1984, and grew up in Orwigsburg, Pennsylvania, where he attended Blue Mountain High School as part of a tight-knit group of friends. After graduating in 2003, he entered the United States Military Academy at West Point.
In 2007, Jason earned his degree in Nuclear Engineering, ranking sixth in his class. He commissioned as a Second Lieutenant and branched Infantry at graduation, assigned to Fort Bragg, North Carolina, with the 82nd Airborne Division. He completed the Army Infantry Officer Basic Course, Army Ranger School, and Army Airborne School.
From 2008 to 2009, Jason deployed to Iraq serving as a Platoon Leader, Company Executive Officer, and Battalion Air Operations Officer with the 2nd Battalion, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment. He was awarded the Bronze Star Medal for his performance during that deployment.
In 2011, Jason volunteered for Special Forces training. He completed the Special Forces Qualification Course in May 2013 and was assigned as a Special Forces Operational Detachment Alpha Commander with Company C, 1st Battalion, 3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne) at Fort Bragg, NC. In April 2014, he deployed to Afghanistan leading a 12-person Special Forces team.
On June 2, 2014, Captain Jason Benjamin Jones, age 29, of Pottsville, Pennsylvania, was killed in action from wounds received during a small-arms firefight in Nangarhar Province, Afghanistan, while supporting Operation Enduring Freedom. A fort in Afghanistan's Nangarhar Province was named in his honor.
Military Honors
Jason's awards and decorations include two Bronze Star Medals, the Purple Heart, Army Commendation Medal, Combat Infantryman Badge, Special Forces Tab, Ranger Tab, Airborne Badge, and multiple campaign and service medals.
He is survived by his wife, parents, and a sister.
