Jonathan Tessar, 36

Army, Sergeant 1st Class

Based: Ft. Campbell, Ky.

2nd Battalion, 502nd Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division

Supporting: Operation Iraqi Freedom

Died: October 31, 2005

Yusufiya/Mahmudiya, Iraq

Married, 3 children

Gender: Male

Hometown: Simi Valley

High School: Simi Valley High (Simi Valley)

Burial: Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Va.

Commanding a convoy of 250 soldiers, Tessar chose to ride in the lead vehicle -- the one most likely to trigger the roadside bomb that killed him and three others. As a commanding officer told relatives: "He led. He didn't follow."

Allan M. Cundanga Espiritu, 11/01/2005

Shakere T. Guy, 10/29/2005

Five memories of Jonathan Tessar

“

I knew Jonnie in middle school and high school. Jonnie was there with me for support when I spoke to my dad about joining the military. I will never forget the conversation we had in my garage back in 1991...the three of us and the huge laugh. I said I was joining the Army and was going to become a Black Hawk Crew chief and Jonnie said with a smile, “You REMF!” And we all let out a huge laugh. Jonnie and I talked in Basic and several times later in AIT. At the time he was a sergeant and was helpful answering my many questions or providing some much needed advice on leadership. Afterwards, I left for Germany and we didn’t stay in contact. But I will never forget his big smile, his sense of humor (I’m sure he got from his brother Bill) and how much he loved his country. The last time I spoke to Jon was at the Arlington Cemetery (Sorry, I was in Germany at the time). As for me I’m still serving my country…and a REMF.

” — Don Camp, May 5, 2011 at 10:49 p.m.

Search by: Age, Base, Branch, Cemetery, Date of Death, Country of Birth, Gender, High School, Hometown, Marital Status, Name, Number of Children, Theater of Operation, Place of Death

Sources: Times research, Defense Department, iCasualties.org

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Jonathan Tessar, 36

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Five memories of Jonathan Tessar