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This Person is Your...

This Person is Your...

This Military Service Page was created/owned by MAJ Mark E Cooper to remember Blessing, Jay, SGT.

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Home Town Tacoma	Last Address Tacoma, WA

Casualty Date Nov 14, 2003
Cause Hostile, Died of Wounds	Reason Other Explosive Device
Location Alabama	Conflict Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) /OEF - Afghanistan
Location of Interment Not Specified	Wall/Plot Coordinates Not Specified

SGT. JAY A. BLESSING

Killed in action on Nov. 14, 2003

Operation Enduring Freedom

Recognizing that I volunteered as a Ranger, fully knowing the hazards of my chosen profession, I will always endeavor to uphold the prestige, honor, and high esprit de corps of my Ranger Regiment... - FIRST STANZA OF THE RANGER CREED

Sgt. Jay A. Blessing was born Jan. 4, 1980, in Washington and claimed Tacoma as home.

He was killed Nov. 14, 2003, in eastern Afghanistan after an improvised explosive device detonated as his unit was conducting a combat patrol there.

Blessing volunteered for Army service in August 1998. He completed One Station Unit Training in the military operational specialty of infantryman at Fort Benning, Ga. Blessing continued his military training at Fort Benning when he attended the Basic Airborne Course in November 1998 and then graduated from the Ranger Indoctrination Program in January 1999. On January 28, 1999, he was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment at Fort Lewis, Wash. He went on to graduate from the U.S. Army Ranger Course and the Primary Leadership Development Course and was promoted to sergeant in June 2002.

His awards and decorations include the Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon, the Army Service Ribbon, the Combat Infantryman Badge, the Expert Infantryman Badge, the Parachutist Badge and the Ranger Tab.

Blessing is survived by his father, James A. Blessing, of Tacoma, Wash., and his brother, Jason Blessing, also of Tacoma. His mother, Carol Lee M. Blessing, is deceased.

As a Ranger, Sgt. Jay Blessing distinguished himself as a member of the Army’s premier light-infantry unit, traveled to all corners of the world in support of the Global War on Terrorism, and fought valiantly to “uphold the prestige, honor, and high esprit de corps” of the 75^thRanger Regiment.

- RANGERS LEAD THE WAY! -

Army Sgt. Blessing was assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2nd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, Fort Lewis, Washington, as an armorer. Blessing was injured and later died when his humvee struck a home made land mine in Asadabad during 'Operation Mountain Resolve'. Jay joined the Reserve Officers' Training Corps at Lincoln High School in Tacoma, Washington and volunteered for the Army after he graduated in August 1998. He joined the military to follow in his father's footsteps – he was in the Navy. He completed basic combat training and advanced individual training in the military operational specialty of Infantryman at Fort Benning, Ga. He continued his military training at Fort Benning when he attended the Basic Airborne Course in November 1998 and graduated from the Ranger Indoctrination Program in January 1999. On January 28, 1999, Jay was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment at Fort Lewis, Wash. He went on to graduate from the U.S. Army Ranger Course, the Primary Leadership Development Course and was promoted to sergeant in June 2002. After graduation, Jay returned to his high school several times to visit teachers and friends, proudly wearing his uniform. He shipped out to the Middle East only two weeks before being killed. Being a Ranger was what he really loved and what he always wanted to do. He once said, "I want to take this to the highest level I can". Jay's awards and decorations include the Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon, the Army Service Ribbon, the Expert Infantryman Badge, the Parachutist Badge and the 2nd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment Combat Shoulder Sleeve Insignia and Ranger tab.