The 35th Infantry Regiment Association salutes our fallen brother, SSG Jason L. Paton, who died in the service of his country on August 22nd, 2007 in Multaka, Iraq. The cause of death was listed as Helicopter Crash. At the time of his death Jason was 25 years of age. He was from Poway, California.
The decorations earned by SSG Jason L. Paton include: the Bronze Star, the Purple Heart,
He was a member of the Recon/Scout Platoon
When Jason L. Paton's mother, Kim Bilbrey, last spoke to her son, he was talking about what he would do when he got home, as usual. "He said he was very excited about getting married," Bilbrey said. Paton, 25, of Poway, Calif., was killed Aug. 22 when his helicopter crashed in Multaka. He was a 2000 high school graduate and was assigned to Schofield Barracks "You could see in Jason's personality a sense of duty to country," said Wayne Branstetter, Paton's high school wrestling coach. "He was a very hard worker. He loved training," Branstetter said. "He just fit in and had a great personality. He had a serving attitude. It was not all about him." He and his fiancee, Nikki Palmer, were to be married Nov. 18. His other loves were a 1968 Mustang and surfing. "Everyone wanted to be around him. He was just so much fun. His laughter was contagious," said Liz Reese, who had known Paton since they were both 11. "He was a happy person. He would do anything for people. He was a tough kid who had done a lot," Bilbrey said. "He hoped to one day be a Ranger instructor at Fort Benning."
North Country Times Aug 29, 2007
POWAY -- Staff Sgt. Jason L. Paton, 25, died Wednesday, Aug. 22, 2007, in Multaka, Iraq.
Born July 22, 1982, in Chula Vista, he lived in Poway for 17 years. He was a staff sergeant in the U.S. Army and was awarded the Bronze Star. His interests and hobbies included civil patrol, surfing and the beach, going to the desert and the river, and camping. He was a Chargers and Padres fan.
Mr. Paton is survived by his mother, Kim Bilbrey and stepfather Jim Valenzuela, both of Poway; father Robert Paton of Chula Vista; grandparents Judy and Sam Pritchard of Chula Vista and Don and Elaine Paton of Florida.
Visitation is scheduled from 12 noon to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 5, at Poway Bernardo Mortuary, Poway. A funeral service is planned for 10 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 6, at Penasquitos Lutheran Church, San Diego. Interment will follow the service at 1 p.m. at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery, San Diego.
Poway Bernardo Mortuary is handling arrangements.
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