In memory

Two 82nd Airborne Division Paratroopers die in southern Afghanistan

FORT BRAGG, N.C. — Two 82nd Airborne Division Paratroopers died Thursday morning in Kandahar province, Afghanistan after three individuals, two Afghan National Army service members and a civilian literacy teacher for the Afghan National Army, turned their weapons on the Paratroopers.

Staff Sgt. Jordan Bear, 25, of Denver, Col., and Spc. Payton Jones, 19, of Marble Falls, Texas, were Infantrymen with Company B, 2nd Battalion, 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team.

“Staff Sgt. Bear set the example for all the squad leaders in his Platoon. He was a phenomenal leader and beloved by the men he led,” said Capt. Cecil Wolberton, Commander of Company B, 2-508 PIR.

Capt. Wolberton remembered Spc. Jones as a bright young man, “I remember Payton’s first day in the unit, he was young, fit and had all the makings of an outstanding Soldier. Over the past year, I’ve had the privilege of watching him develop as a Paratrooper.”

Staff Sgt. Bear joined the Army in September 2004. He completed One Station Unit Training and the Basic Airborne Course at Fort Benning, Ga., before being assigned to Fort Bragg in 2005. He deployed twice with the 82nd Airborne Division in support of Operation Enduring Freedom from February 2007 to April 2008, and again from August 2009 to July 2010. This was Staff Sgt. Bear’s third deployment to Afghanistan.His awards and decorations include the Bronze Star, the Purple Heart, the NATO Medal, the Army Commendation Medal with one oak leaf cluster, the Army Good Conduct Medal with one oak leaf cluster, the National Defense Service Medal, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal with 3 combat stars, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Army Service Ribbon, the Overseas Service Ribbon with numeral 3, the Combat Infantryman’s Badge and the Parachutist Badge.Staff Sgt. Bear is survived by his wife, Sarah Bear, his daughter, Kailee Holbrook, 4, his son, Kayden Bear, 2 months.

Spc. Jones joined the Army in July 2010. He completed One Station Unit Training and the Basic Airborne Course at Fort Benning, Ga., before being assigned to Fort Bragg in 2010. This was his first deployment.His awards and decorations include the Bronze Star, the Purple Heart, National Defense Service Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Army Service Ribbon, the Overseas Service Ribbon, the Combat Infantryman’s Badge and the Parachutist Badge. Spc. Jones is survived by his father, Buell Jones, and his mother, Tami Sims.