Jason Dale Lewis
Petty Officer First Class, U.S. Navy
Operation Iraqi Freedom

Jason Dale Lewis attended the University of Maryland.

On 22 July 1996, Lewis enlisted in the U.S. Navy. He graduated from Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes, IL, in November. In February 1997, Lewis entered Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL (BUD/S) training in Coronado, CA. Following graduation from BUD/S, Lewis completed advanced SEAL training courses, including parachute training at the Basic Airborne School, Fort Benning, GA, before being assigned to a West Coast-based SEAL team in October 1997. He reported to the Naval Special Warfare Center, Coronado, CA, in March 2004, and was transferred to an East Coast-based SEAL team at Little Creek Naval Amphibious Base, VA, in January 2006.

Lewis lived in Virginia Beach, VA, with his wife, Donna, and their three children.

In July 2007, the Seal Team to which Lewis was assigned was serving in Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. On 6 July, Jason was killed during combat operations when an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) detonated under the Humvee in which he was riding, near Baghdad. Also killed in the explosion were Mass Communications Specialist 1st Class Robert Richard McRill and Cryptologic Technician 1st Class Steven Phillip Daugherty.

Medals and Awards

Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal
Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal
Navy 'E' Ribbon
Navy Good Conduct Medal (2 Awards)
Navy and Marine Corps Overseas Service Ribbon
Expert Rifleman Medal
Expert Pistol Medal

Honors

At the order of Connecticut Governor M. Jodi Rell, all state and U.S. flags were ordered lowered to half-staff.

"He is a hero, not just to us in Brookfield, but to our entire state and our entire country," Rell said in a statement. "His sacrifice on behalf of all of us will never be forgotten."

Burial

Petty Officer First Class Jason Dale Lewis was buried with full military honors at Center Cemetery in New Milford, CT.

Lewis is survived by his wife, Donna, and their three children.