Posted on 02/09/2007 8:26:11 AM PST by lovecraft
Barnwell native killed in Iraq
Kara Gormley on Barnwell native killed in Iraq
An Army soldier from Barnwell was killed in a helicopter shoot-down in Iraq.
The family of Army Warrant Officer Jason Garth DeFrenn says he was killed on Friday and family members were informed by the Defense Department over the weekend.
Defrenn's father Garth DeFrenn says the 34-year-old soldier was a member of the 1st Air Cavalry Brigade, 227th Aviation Regiment, of Fort Hood, Texas.
"I was just selfish. I just didn't want to lose my son," says Garth Defrenn. Defrenn says from the day his son Jason told him he wanted to fly Apache helicopters, he knew in his heart this day would come.
The family says he was due to be home in a week or so. His Apache helicopter was shot down while flying in formation north of Taji, Iraq.
But Defrenn says that wasn't before his son and a co-pilot did something heroic. Jason's dad says they placed their helicopter in the line of fire, diverting another helicopter from being shot down, "You can say he was admired and loved, but the most important thing he ever did was to lay his life down for someone else."
But that is only part of the story. Army warrant officer Defrenn was just days away from returning home to Barnwell and the love of his life, his wife Jenny, who is supposed to give birth to their son at the end of the month.
But the news was too much, says Defrenn's father, "It really, really threw her body into a major shock."
Jenny's blood pressure skyrocketed. She was rushed to Palmetto Baptist. Doctors decided to induce labor. Garth says, "Jenny needed to have the child now so she could deal with the death of her husband."
Tuesday afternoon, Jenny gave birth to a healthy son.
Jason's father tells WIS, "At first, Jenny thought maybe she might want to call him Jason Garth Defrenn, Jr. But she felt like she should go along with her husband's wishes and call him what he wanted to call him. That was Christopher."
"Upstairs is a very remarkable young lady," says Garth. "She is just as much of a patriot as my son. She has given everything for this country. She loved him dearly and her heart is broken."
The soldier leaves behind three children and a spouse who was pregnant with their fourth child.
Reported by Kara Gormley with AP
Posted 8:53pm by Chantelle Janelle
I have a special place in my heart for Army Aviators. I was one, and I was a Warrant Officer. I also identify with Jason's dad. My dad and sister drove from Michigan to Ft. Rucker for my graduation in 1966. They pinned on my wings and my W1 bars. My dad had not been in the military but he burst his buttons any time he bored people with the story of his son, the helicopter pilot. My heart also goes out to Garth for another reason - I have a son in Iraq. Please let the family know they are not alone and that Jason's story has touched an untold number of Americans
That sounds more worthy of a Congressional Medal of Honor !
God Bless You. As an Army Vet, I've lost a lot of friends over the years, too. It NEVER gets any easier.
Do what you can for his family. They'll appreciate it. :)
Or at least a SS or DFC or, at a minimum, a "v" on the Bronze Star.
Barnwell is in Congressman Joe Wilson's district. Could he not be petitioned to submit Jason DeFrenn's name to be awarded the MoH ? I don't know the procedure for doing so. Surely one of our FReepers is knowledgeable on that ?
There are probably any number of ways an individual could be awarded the MOH, including congressional action. But, usually documentation of an act of heroism begins with first person, eyewitness accounts. From what I know about the crash of Jason's Apache, there was at least one other Apache in the flight. The accounts of the two pilots in that aircraft probably are key. There also may have been coalition eyewitnesses on the ground and there could have been radio traffic that is documented.
Well, Mark Sandford, the Governor is supposed to be there and I have gotten word of a rumor that those bast*rds from Kansas may be intending to protest Jason's funeral. There has also been a confirmation that the Patriot Riders will be there to counter-protest.
Barnwell is a very small town, and I am worried my friend's funeral will be turned into some kind of media circus. Those "people" from Kansas will not be welcome there and their presence will not go over well. I pray they will stay underneath their rocks.
Here is the link to the thread on Jason. You'll have to copy and paste, I've forgotten how to imbed a link.
http://www.patriotguard.org/Forums/tabid/61/postid/414980/view/topic/Default.aspx
Here is the link to the thread on Jason. You'll have to copy and paste, I've forgotten how to imbed a link.
http://www.patriotguard.org/Forums/tabid/61/postid/414980/view/topic/Default.aspx
Sorry about the double post.
http://www.patriotguard.org/Forums/tabid/61/postid/414980/view/topic/Default.aspx
Probably because you used html elsewhere in the post, but it's beyond my expertise.
An a$$ whoopin would be too kind.
The God hates Fags people have Jason's funeral listed on their site. They do plan on coming, though there is no mention of numbers. I won't post it so as not to give them any credence.
"All dates should be considered TENTATIVE at this time.
The mission to honor Chief Warrant Officer Jason Garth DeFrenn is now a two part mission.
Patriot Guard Riders will be present on Thursday, 15 February for visitation at Dyches (pronounced DIKES) Funeral Home in Barnwell. Time for visitation has not been announced. We will hold a flag line throughout the visitation so that members of the community will know as they enter that they are about to visit an American Hero.
Patriot Guard Riders will honor Chief DeFrenn at his funeral service on the afternoon of Friday, 16 February in Barnwell and will escort the chief and his family to his final resting place. Prepare for a ride of 16 miles to the cemetery.
Staging areas and times will be announced later.
Ride Captains in Charge will be announced later.
Please do not cease in praying for the DeFrenn family. They need the strength that only prayer can bring.
Tell the people of Barnwell to listen................listen for the rumble of the Patriot Guard."
Thank you again for your support. If there is anything you ever need......
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