Sergeant John D. Aragon, 22, of Antioch, died June 12 in Kadamiyah, Iraq, of wounds suffered when his vehicle encountered an improvised explosive device. He was assigned to the 1st Squadron, 75th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), Fort Campbell, Kentucky.
The 502d Infantry Regiment was organized in July 1941, as the 502d Parachute Battalion, an experimental unit formed to test the doctrine and tactics of parachute assault. During the Battle of the Bulge, in December 1944, the 502d PIR withstood heavy armor and infantry attacks launched by the surrounding German forces, securing the Division's northern and northwestern flanks until relieved by the 4th Armored Division on 26 December.
During World War II the 502d PIR emerged as one of the most decorated U.S. units in the European Theater. It was awarded two Presidential Unit Citations, the French Croix de Guerre, the Belgian Fourragere, the Netherlands Orange Lanyard, and recognition in Orders of the Day of the Belgian Army for their actions at Normandy and Bastogne.
In February 2003, the Regiment deployed to the Middle East with the remainder of the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) for what became Operation Iraqi Freedom. It returned a year later having led the Division through the key battles of An Najef, south Al Hillah, Karbala, southern Baghdad, Mahmoudia, and Mosul. It completed the two longest air assaults in Division history. Once in Mosul, it was instrumental in forming the City Council by holding the first free elections in the country since the fall of the regime.
Over the subsequent 9 months, the Regiment re-built the city's hospitals, schools and water system. It built from scratch a regional police force that became the model for the rest of the country to follow. It created the conditions whereby former Iraqi military personnel got paid and where the new Iraqi Dinar was introduced without incident. Above all, the Regiment fostered a secure environment that allowed the citizens of Mosul to live in a free and safe city that became a beacon of hope throughout Iraq.
Sergeant John Aragon was a point man. He was a point man in that he represented one of the finest and most decorated units in the American military. He was part of this country's best. He was a point man in that he represents the best, the greatest, the most passionate and the most dedicated of Americans of his generation. He is a point man in that he took the pain and injury and gave up his life in service to you and to me. We are the people for whom he was point man.
Thank you, Sergeant. Thank you with all we have.
Sergeant John Aragon was, is and will continue to be true and solid role model for future generations of Americans who will grow to maturity and face the responsibility of defending this nation we all so deeply love and preserving the gift of freedom and democracy.
Freedom is not free and defending our freedom is the responsibility of each of us. Few of us accept that challenge as did Sergeant Aragon.
Sergeant John D. Aragon is the best America has to offer. Thank you so deeply to his parents, his family and his friends. John stands today beside the greatest of our American heroes and he has joined their honored company.
Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger issued this statement accompanying his order to fly the U.S. and California State flags at half-mast over the State Capitol in honor of Sergeant Aragon.
"Sergeant John Aragon served with bravery and loyalty to his country and fellow soldiers. His devotion to service is an inspiration for all Americans and his sacrifice will not be forgotten. Maria and I offer our condolences to John's family and friends as they mourn the loss of their loved one."
Resources:
2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101 ABN, U.S. Army
Contra Costa Times article on Sergeant Aragon's death
Remembrance Guest Book for Sergeant Aragon by the Contra Costa Times
.
The 502d Infantry Regiment was organized in July 1941, as the 502d Parachute Battalion, an experimental unit formed to test the doctrine and tactics of parachute assault. During the Battle of the Bulge, in December 1944, the 502d PIR withstood heavy armor and infantry attacks launched by the surrounding German forces, securing the Division's northern and northwestern flanks until relieved by the 4th Armored Division on 26 December.
During World War II the 502d PIR emerged as one of the most decorated U.S. units in the European Theater. It was awarded two Presidential Unit Citations, the French Croix de Guerre, the Belgian Fourragere, the Netherlands Orange Lanyard, and recognition in Orders of the Day of the Belgian Army for their actions at Normandy and Bastogne.
In February 2003, the Regiment deployed to the Middle East with the remainder of the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) for what became Operation Iraqi Freedom. It returned a year later having led the Division through the key battles of An Najef, south Al Hillah, Karbala, southern Baghdad, Mahmoudia, and Mosul. It completed the two longest air assaults in Division history. Once in Mosul, it was instrumental in forming the City Council by holding the first free elections in the country since the fall of the regime.
Over the subsequent 9 months, the Regiment re-built the city's hospitals, schools and water system. It built from scratch a regional police force that became the model for the rest of the country to follow. It created the conditions whereby former Iraqi military personnel got paid and where the new Iraqi Dinar was introduced without incident. Above all, the Regiment fostered a secure environment that allowed the citizens of Mosul to live in a free and safe city that became a beacon of hope throughout Iraq.
Sergeant John Aragon was a point man. He was a point man in that he represented one of the finest and most decorated units in the American military. He was part of this country's best. He was a point man in that he represents the best, the greatest, the most passionate and the most dedicated of Americans of his generation. He is a point man in that he took the pain and injury and gave up his life in service to you and to me. We are the people for whom he was point man.
Thank you, Sergeant. Thank you with all we have.
Sergeant John Aragon was, is and will continue to be true and solid role model for future generations of Americans who will grow to maturity and face the responsibility of defending this nation we all so deeply love and preserving the gift of freedom and democracy.
Freedom is not free and defending our freedom is the responsibility of each of us. Few of us accept that challenge as did Sergeant Aragon.
Sergeant John D. Aragon is the best America has to offer. Thank you so deeply to his parents, his family and his friends. John stands today beside the greatest of our American heroes and he has joined their honored company.
Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger issued this statement accompanying his order to fly the U.S. and California State flags at half-mast over the State Capitol in honor of Sergeant Aragon.
"Sergeant John Aragon served with bravery and loyalty to his country and fellow soldiers. His devotion to service is an inspiration for all Americans and his sacrifice will not be forgotten. Maria and I offer our condolences to John's family and friends as they mourn the loss of their loved one."
Resources:
2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101 ABN, U.S. Army
Contra Costa Times article on Sergeant Aragon's death
Remembrance Guest Book for Sergeant Aragon by the Contra Costa Times
.
0 comments:
Post a Comment