Navy Lt. Cmdr. (SEAL) Jonas B. Kelsall

Died August 6, 2011 Serving During Operation Enduring Freedom

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32, of Shreveport, La.; 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.

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Lt. Cmdr. (SEAL) Jonas B. Kelsall, 32, of Shreveport, La., enlisted in September 1996, the Navy said.

Kelsall and Chief Petty Officer Robert James Reeves, also killed in the crash, were childhood friends in Shreveport, where they played soccer together and graduated from Caddo Magnet High School, Kelsall’s father, John, told The Times of Shreveport and KLSA-TV.

Both joined the military after graduation.

Kelsall, 33, was one of the first members of SEAL Team 7, his father said. The Navy said Kelsall reported to his East Coast-based SEAL team in May 2008.

He trained in San Diego and met his wife of three years, Victoria, when he was attending the University of Texas out of Basic Underwater Demolition training, his father said.

Kelsall’s decorations include the Legion of Merit; two Bronze Stars with Combat ‘V’ device for valor; Joint Service Commendation Medal with Combat ‘V’ device for valor; three Navy/Marine Corps Commendation Medals; Joint Service Achievement Medal; Presidential Unit Citation; Combat Action Ribbon; Navy Unit Commendation; National Defense Service Medal; Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal; Sea Service Deployment Ribbon; Rifle Marksmanship Medal and Pistol Marksmanship Medal.