Army Staff Sgt. Javares J. Washington

Died February 11, 2008 Serving During Operation Iraqi Freedom

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27, of Pensacola, Fla.; assigned to the 6th Battalion, 101st Aviation Regiment, 101st Combat Aviation Brigade, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), Fort Campbell, Ky.; died Feb. 11 at Camp Buehring, Kuwait City, Kuwait, of injuries sustained in a vehicle accident.

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Fort Campbell-based soldier dies in Kuwait

The Associated Press

FORT CAMPBELL, Ky. — A member of Fort Campbell’s 101st Airborne Division has died in Kuwait, the Army said.

Staff Sgt. Javares J. Washington, 27, of Pensacola, Fla., died Feb. 11 at Camp Buehring in Kuwait City, Kuwait, from injuries sustained in a vehicle accident, the Army said Feb. 14.

Washington was assigned to the 6th Battalion, 101st Aviation Regiment, 101st Combat Aviation Brigade, 101st Airborne Division. He joined the Army in 2001 and arrived at Fort Campbell in April 2007.

Washington is survived by wife Letrica Nixon-Washington, daughter Tristyne Washington and stepson Mekhi Nixon, all of Fort Campbell, Ky. He is also survived by son Jayden Washington of Americus, Ga.; mother Felicia Smith and father Willie Matthews of Pensacola, Fla.

Washington earned several honors during his career, including the Army Good Conduct Medal and the Army Commendation Medal.

The military said the incident is under investigation.

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Mourners remember soldier who died in Kuwait

The Associated Press

Bridgette Smith, one of Javares J. Washington’s cousins, told mourners about the man she described as a best friend, confidant and playmate.

Inseparable as children, they shared a fondness for superhero Underoos. “He was Batman. I was Batgirl,” she remembered. As they grew older, Washington became her real-life protector.

“He would tell me which guys to stay away from,” she said. “When I got married, Jay told me he trusted my husband to take care of me. That meant so much to me to have his blessing.”

Washington, 27, of Pensacola, Fla., was killed Feb. 11 in a vehicle accident in Kuwait. He was a 1999 high school graduate and was assigned to Fort Campbell, Ky.

The former running back and track star in high school left Pensacola to play football on a full scholarship at Northern Arizona University.

He also is survived by a 6-year-old son, Jayden; his wife, Letrica; a 9-month-old child, Tristyne; and a 7-year-old stepson, Mekhi.

“He loved me,” Jayden said. “He hugged me every time he saw me, and I was just happy to see him. I just remember I’m going to see him back in heaven.”