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Navy Chief Special Warfare Operator (SEAL) Jason R. Workman
Died August 6, 2011 Serving During Operation Enduring Freedom
32, of Blanding, Utah; assigned to an East Coast-based SEAL team; died Aug. 6 in Wardak province, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when the CH-47 Chinook helicopter in which he was riding was shot down.
Utah hometown remembers fallen SEAL
Staff and wire reports
Chief Special Warfare Operator (SEAL) Jason R. Workman, 32, of Blanding, Utah, had his sights set on becoming a SEAL as a young teenager.
He was about 14 when his older brother graduated from West Point. That’s when he knew he wanted to be an elite soldier, friend Tate Bennett told The Deseret News. Then came the Sept. 11 terror attacks, and Workman’s calling grew even stronger.
“He didn’t become a Navy SEAL by chance,” Bennett said. “He knew that’s what he wanted at a young age and made it happen.”
Across his small hometown of Blanding in southern Utah, flags were flown at half-staff as residents mourned the loss of one of their own.
Even as a SEAL, Workman came home periodically. During his last trip, he led training sessions with local law enforcement, sharing his military skills, and planned to provide more training during a trip home this fall, Mayor Toni Turk told the Salt Lake City Tribune.
After returning from his Mormon mission, Bennett said, Workman went to Southern Utah University. He enlisted in August 2003, according to the Navy.
Workman graduated from Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL training in Coronado in March 2005. He joined his East Coast-based SEAL team in August 2005.
His decorations include the Bronze Star with Combat “V” device for valor; Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal; Joint Service Achievement Medal; Navy Marine Corps Achievement Medal; Combat Action Ribbon; Presidential Unit Citation; Navy Unit Commendation; two Navy Good Conduct Medals; National Defense Service Medal; Afghanistan Campaign Medal; Iraq Campaign Medal; Global War on Terrorism Service Medal; three Sea Service Deployment Ribbons; Rifle Marksmanship Medal and Pistol Marksmanship Medal.