Posted on 02/06/2007 1:08:21 PM PST by lovecraft
BARNWELL, S.C. - The conflict in Iraq has claimed the life of another Barnwell County man.
Special Army Warrant Officer Jason DeFrenn is shown with his wife, Jenny. Warrant Officer DeFrenn was killed in action in Iraq Feb. 2.
Army Warrant Officer Jason Garth DeFrenn, 34, a native of Barnwell, was killed in action Feb. 2, said his father, Garth DeFrenn. He was a member of the 1st Air Cavalry Brigade, 227th Aviation Regiment, Fort Hood, Texas.
Warrant Officer DeFrenn's Apache helicopter was shot down while flying in formation north of Taji, Iraq, according to a Department of Defense statement given to the family.
"He would have been home in a week or 10 days," said Naomi DeFrenn, his stepmother.
Warrant Officer DeFrenn leaves behind a wife, Jenny, and three children, Alex, 15, Jessica, 10, and Michael, 5. Mrs. DeFrenn was in labor late Monday at Palmetto Health Baptist Hospital in Columbia with the couple's fourth child. Mr. DeFrenn said his newest grandson, Jason Garth DeFrenn Jr., was not due for another two weeks.
Mrs. DeFrenn said she was informed of her husband's death Saturday.
"She (Jenny) is beside herself," Mr. DeFrenn said. "She's in misery and that's the intent of these people (the Iraqi insurgents) - to break the will of the people. But they aren't going to break the will of this little girl."
Mr. DeFrenn said he was also upset by reports that al-Qaeda had filmed his son's death and was broadcasting the images over the Internet as a propaganda tactic.
"Whatever we think of this war, whatever we may think of the politics, my son believed if these people were not stopped, then our children and our children's lives would be destroyed," he said. "That's why he re-enlisted for the third time. I think he knew in his heart that he wasn't coming home."
Mr. DeFrenn said his son's body is en route to Dover Air Force Base, Del. He said he thinks his son's body could arrive in Columbia on Wednesday. From there he will be given a funeral escort back home to Barnwell.
Dyches Funeral Home of Barnwell is in charge of the arrangements.
Two years ago this month, another Barnwell County resident died in the nearly 4-year-old conflict. Army Spc. Jason L. Moski, of Blackville, and two other solders were killed Feb. 25, 2005, by an improvised explosive device in Taji, Iraq.
Army Sgt. George Edward Buggs, 31, of Barnwell, was killed in action in Iraq on March 23, 2005. Sgt. Buggs was with the 3rd Infantry Division's 3rd Forward Support Battalion, out of Fort Stewart, Ga.
I'm going to miss him. The Army is going to miss him. Jason was a troubled kid like we all were, the Army straightened him up, got him flying right. If I know Jason, and I think I do, he died a hero. Love you man...
I feel close to Barnwell because that was the home of my late FRiend, LadyX, who passed away last year. She was a former Marine and my best friend. I know if she were alive she would be there to comfort you and Jason's family.
Thanks for the kind words. I left B-well after HS, but my brother and his family still live there. I regret that I have lost touch with alot of my friends there, Jason included. I am proud to have known him and am proud that we were friends.
May the gentleman rest in peace. Prayers for the family.
I find out on Thursday when the funeral is.
Condolences on your loss. He was a hero proved in liberating strife.
Bump for a fallen hero.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.