Army Pfc. Jason R. Watson

Died February 12, 2009 Serving During Operation Enduring Freedom

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19, of Many, La.; assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 506th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), Fort Campbell, Ky.; died Feb. 10 in Salerno, Afghanistan, of injuries suffered when an improvised explosive device detonated near his vehicle. Also killed was Army Spc. Peter J. Courcy.

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IED kills two 101st soldiers

By Chris Smith

The Leaf-Chronicle

Two 101st Airborne Division soldiers died Tuesday when an improvised explosive device exploded near their vehicle in Salerno, Afghanistan.

Spc. Peter J. Courcy, 22, of Frisco, Texas, and Pfc. Jason R. Watson, 19, of Many, La., died in Salerno from their injuries, according to a news release Thursday from the Department of Defense.

The soldiers were assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 506th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, based at Fort Campbell.

According to a Fort Campbell media release, Courcy was an infantryman who entered the Army in July 2006 and arrived at Fort Campbell in March 2007. His awards and decorations include: the Army Achievement Medal; National Defense Service Medal; Global War on Terrorism Service Medal; Army Service Ribbon; Air Assault Badge; Parachutist Badge and Weapons Qualification, M4, expert.

Courcy is survived by his wife, Mara, of Colony, Texas; son, Anthony Luke, of Fisco, Texas; mother and step-father, Mary and Christopher Bush, of Frisco, Texas; and father, Jon Mitchell, whose whereabouts are unknown, according to the release.

According to the Fort Campbell release, Watson was an infantryman who entered the Army in September 2007 and arrived at Fort Campbell in February 2008. His awards and decorations include: the National Defense Service Medal; Global War on Terrorism Service Medal; Army Service Ribbon; Sharpshooter Badge; and Weapons Qualification, M4, expert.

Watson is survived by his mother, Cynthia, of Walterboro, S.C.; father, Robert, of Converse, La.; and twin brother Charles, of Maney, La.

A memorial service for the soldiers will be held in Afghanistan. Fort Campbell holds a monthly Eagle Remembrance Ceremony the second Wednesday of each month.

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Fallen soldier remembered

The Associated Press

Pfc. Jason R. Watson wanted to go fishing with his father when he came home.

“I had bought a new boat and I was showing him the pictures on the Internet. And he said, ‘Daddy that’s a nice boat. When we come home, I want you to carry me fishing,”’ Bobby Watson said.

Watson, 19, of Many, La., was killed Feb. 10 after his vehicle struck an explosive in Salerno. He was assigned to Fort Campbell.

Watson joined the Army in September 2007 and arrived at Fort Campbell in February 2008. He also is survived by his mother, Cynthia stepfather, Tim and stepmother, Sheilah.

Geri Erwin-Ammons knew Watson as “Rambo.”

“I would always have to stop and think of his real name. We rode the same school bus and most of the time sat together,” he wrote on an online bulletin board.