| From Highlands Today highlandstoday.com
06/24/11:
Details emerge in Sebring soldier's life, death
By ROBERT BOYER | Highlands Today
Published: June 24, 2011
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U.S. Army Pfc. Joshua L. Jetton of Sebring was killed Monday in "Kunar province, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when insurgents attacked his unit with small arms fire," the Department of Defense reported Thursday.
Kunar, in northeastern Afghanistan, is one of the country's 34 provinces.
The 21-year-old Jetton "was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom" and assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 27th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, Schoefield Barracks, Hawaii, the Department of Defense added on its website.
The soldier's body was flown to Andrews Air Force Base in Delaware on Wednesday afternoon, the public affairs office of Air Force Mortuary Affairs Operations reported.
Jetton, a native of Mooresville, Ind., died when he was shot in the chest during an ambush, multiple media outlets have reported.
Friends of Jetton's family told Indianapolis television station WISH-TV that Jetton was "a 2008 graduate of Mooresville High School who moved to Florida, where his father had a home, shortly after graduation," the station's website reported Wednesday.
Jetton joined the Army last August and married his wife, Alicia, of Sebring on March 11 of this year, according to information from the couple's Facebook pages. Alicia Jetton is reportedly expecting twins in August.
Family friends said Alicia Jetton "was notified of his death on Monday night," the website of Indianapolis television station WISH-TV reported.
"Hope for the best. Plan for the worst" is a favorite quotation Alicia Jetton posted on her Facebook page.
"I love you so much, . Forever and always," Alicia Jetton posted there early Tuesday.
In a June 18 post after her baby shower, Jetton said her twins are due on Aug. 31.
Friends have offered prayers and promises of support.
"I love you Alicia. And will be there for you every step of the way," wrote Anna Kathryn Schmidt on Tuesday morning.
Attempts to reach Alicia Jetton and her mother, Denise Moore, have been unsuccessful.
A memorial fund has been established in Joshua Jetton's name for his wife at MIDFLORIDA Credit Union, 3863 U.S. 27 S. in Sebring. Those wishing to donate can do so at any MIDFLORIDA branch. |
