Army Cpl. Jason T. Lee

Died November 18, 2007 Serving During Operation Iraqi Freedom

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26, of Fruitport, Mich.; assigned to the 1st Battalion, 38th Infantry Regiment, 4th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, Fort Lewis, Wash.; died Nov. 18 in Balad, Iraq, when an improvised explosive device detonated during a mounted patrol in Baqubah. Also killed were Pfc. Marius L. Ferrero and Cpl. Christopher J. Nelson.

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Fruitport soldier dies in Iraq

The Associated Press

FRUITPORT, Mich. — A soldier from west Michigan has been killed while serving in Iraq.

Army Cpl. Jason Lee, 26, of Fruitport died Nov. 18 after an improvised explosive device detonated during a mounted patrol in Baqubah, northeast of Baghdad. Two other soldiers also were killed by the roadside bomb.

Thomas Lee said he spoke Nov. 15 with his son, who told him he believed the U.S. military was succeeding in its mission in Iraq.

“He said, ‘Dad, I’m making a difference,’ ” Thomas Lee told The Grand Rapids Press.

Jason Lee entered the military in May 2004 intending to join an airborne unit, but transferred to the infantry after he was injured, his father said.

“I said, ‘I don’t have a problem with you joining the military. But why the airborne, the infantry?’ ” Thomas Lee said. “ ‘He said: ‘I am big. I am strong. It’s my calling, Dad. If it’s not me, who else is it going to be?’ ”

Lee was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 38th Infantry Regiment, 4th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, of Fort Lewis, Wash. Besides his parents, Thomas and Susan Lee, he is survived by his wife, Lisa.