82nd Airborne Division Paratrooper dies of wounds in Germany
KANDAHAR, Afghanistan- An 82nd Airborne Division Paratrooper died at
Landstuhl Regional Medical Center, July 16, of wounds sustained while
serving in Afghanistan.Sgt. Jesse Tilton of Headquarters and
Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment,
4th Brigade Combat Team, was mortally wounded, July 13, while treating a
fellow Paratrooper as the rest of the unit repelled a complex attack by
insurgents on the Afghan National Civil Order Police Headquarters in
Kandahar,
Afghanistan.
"Sgt. Tilton's selfless service and dedication to his brothers on the
battlefield are a true testimony to the Paratrooper he was. He was
severely wounded treating one of his fellow brothers," said 1st Lt.
Jeffrey Conord the 1-508 PIR Medic Platoon Leader. "I can't think of a
greater sacrifice for one's Nation and friend."
The 23-year old trooper from Decatur, Ill. joined the Army April 7,
2006 and attended basic training at Fort Sill, Okla. Tilton went on to
attend Advanced Individual Training at Fort Sam Houston, Texas where he
was trained as a medic. After completing training, Tilton was assigned
to Fort Bragg, N.C. where he arrived, Oct. 17, 2006, and joined 1st
Battalion, 508th PIR. He deployed to Afghanistan with the unit from
January 2007 to April 2008. Tilton stayed with the unit to deploy to
Afghanistan again in August 2009.
Tilton's awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal, Purple
Heart, the Army Commendation Medal, the Army Achievement Medal, the Army
Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Afghanistan
Campaign Medal with Campaign Star, the Global War on Terrorism Service
Medal, the Army Service Ribbon, the Overseas Service Ribbon the NATO
Medal and the Combat Medic Badge.
He is survived by his mother Julie Magana.
A memorial in Tilton's honor will be held in Afghanistan.
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Sgt. Jessie Tilton
Jesse Richard Tilton was born Dec 14, 1986, in Decatur,
IL, a son of Julie Tilton.
He served as a medic with U.S. Army 1st Battalion, 508th Parachute
Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, of the 82nd Airborne
Division, Fort Bragg, North Carolina.
His awards and decorations include, the Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart,
the Army Commendation Medal, the Army Achievement Medal, Army Good
Conduct Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Afghanistan
Campaign Medal with Campaign Star, the Global War on Terrorism Service
Medal, the Army Service Ribbon, the Overseas Ribbon, the NATO Medal and
the Combat Medic Badge.
Surviving are his mother, Julia Tilton-Magana (Javier); aunts and
uncles, James (Judy) Tilton, Linda (Robert) Isaac, Sandra (George)
Muirheid. Also surviving are many cousins..
He was preceded in death by an aunt, Barbara Warner and an uncle, Gerald
Tilton.
Jesse was proud to serve as a medic a in the U.S. Army and excepted the
risks that went along with that responsibility.
[Jumpmaster Note: Sgt Tilton was laid to rest in the Point
Pleasant Cemetery, Long Creek (Macon County), Illinois
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