Two 101st soldiers killed in Iraq
By CHANTAL ESCOTO
The Leaf-Chronicle
Two soldiers with the 101st Airborne Division in Iraq were killed Friday in separate incidents, bringing to nine the number of those killed since the division's latest deployment in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
A remembrance ceremony for all the soldiers killed in Iraq will be held Wednesday on Fort Campbell. All of the division soldiers killed in Iraq during this deployment have been assigned to 2nd Brigade Combat Team.
Sgt. 1st Class James F. Hayes, 48, of Barstow, Calif., died in Taji after a roadside bomb detonated near his Humvee while he was on a mission to deliver toys to children.
Hayes was assigned to Battery A, 1st Battalion, 320th Field Artillery Regiment.
Staff Sgt. Jason A. Fegler, 24, of Virginia Beach, Va., was killed during combat operations in Baghdad. He was assigned to 1st Battalion, 502nd Infantry Regiment. The circumstances surrounding Fegler's death are being investigated as a possible friendly fire incident, according to the Department of Defense.
Fegler is the eighth soldier of the 502nd to be killed in Iraq since the division deployed in September.
Sgt. 1st Class Hayes
Hayes' family gathered in Clarksville to console one another Monday evening and all agreed he died doing what he loved — helping others.
"His men were everything to him. He treated them like they were his own sons," said Peggy Writtenhause, James Hayes' sister, who lives in Indianapolis, Ind.
Sgt. 1st Class Hayes had 22 years in the Army, and this was his second tour in Iraq. He was also a Gulf War veteran.
"He lived for (the Army). He loved what he did," Writtenhause said. "Instead of resting, he and (other soldiers) went to help the children. That's him in a nutshell. The only comfort is knowing he died what he believed in. That's what he did, and he just really cared for people."
Writtenhause — whose late father was a Marine who fought in World War II, Korea and Vietnam, and whose other brother is in the Navy — said she is familiar with the sacrifices military families make. She said she knew her brother had a dangerous job — looking for roadside bombs.
"He could have gotten out (of the Army) and he didn't," she said. "He's in a better place and hopefully we'll get to see him again."
Hayes was a cannon crew member and entered the Army in November 1984.
He arrived at Fort Campbell in March 2003. He is survived by his wife, Kathy, and three daughters, 21, 12 and 10, of Clarksville; a daughter, 28, in Barstow, Calif.; a son, 26, of Louisville, Ky., and a granddaughter, 5.
Staff Sgt. Fegler
Fegler was an infantryman. He entered the Army in July 2000 and arrived at Fort Campbell in January 2005. He is survived by his wife, Shianne Fegler, and 2-year-old son, Aiden, of Virginia Beach. Calls to the Fegler residence were not immediately returned Monday night.
Friday's deaths brings to 79 the total number of Fort Campbell troops killed during combat in the Middle East since March 2003.
Chantal Escotocovers military affairs and can be reached at 245-0216 or by e-mail at chantalescoto@theleafchronicle.com.
Originally published November 8, 2005
Attack kills 4 101st troops
By: Fort Campbell Public Affairs
Four 101st Airborne Division Soldiers died Monday in Baghdad, Iraq, from injuries sustained when an Improvised Explosive Device exploded near the High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle they were traveling in while conducting a patrol near Al Mahmudiyah.
The Soldiers were all Infantrymen assigned to Company A, 2nd Battalion, 502nd Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team. The Soldiers are identified as: Sgt. 1st Class Jonathan Tessar, Spc. William J. Byler, Pfc. David J. Martin, and Pfc. Adam R. Johnson.
Tessar, 35, is a native of Simi Valley, Calif. He entered the Army in February 1987, and arrived at Fort Campbell in July 2004. He is survived by his wife, Nancy and three children.
Byler, 23, is a native of Ballinger, Texas. He entered the Army in August 2002, and arrived at Fort Campbell in January 2003. He is survived by his parents, William and Karen Byler in Ballinger, Texas.
Martin, 21, is a native of Edmond, Okla. He entered the Army in October 2004, and arrived at Fort Campbell in February 2005. He is survived by his parents, Richard and Janet Martin, of Edmond, Okla.
Johnson, 22, is a native of Clayton, Ohio. He entered the Army in January 2005, and arrived at Fort Campbell in May 2005. He is survived by his father, Randall Johnson of Clayton, Ohio, and his mother, Frances Johnson of Brookville, Ohio.
A statement from Nancy Tessar, wife of Sgt. 1st Class Jonathan Tessar, follows:
“The Tessar family would like to extend our thanks to everyone for the sincere expressions of support and sympathy as we grieve for the loss of a devoted husband, loving father and dedicated Soldier, Sgt. 1st Class Jonathan Tessar.
“We sincerely appreciate the nation’s interest in Jonathan’s service to his country, but ask that the media respect our privacy and allow us time to grieve.
“Jonathan dreamed of being a Soldier from the time he was 5 years old and dedicated over 18 years of his live to the service of the nation that he loved so much.
“His family was more important to him than anything, but his love and loyalty to the Army and to his Soldiers was unwavering.
“Our thoughts and support go out to the men and women who continue to serve and their families back home. We pray for all of our Soldiers’ safe return.â€
Memorial services for the fallen Soldiers will be held in Iraq. Fort Campbell holds a monthly Eagle Remembrance Ceremony the second Wednesday of each month. The first ceremony will be held Wednesday.Ft Campbell Courier