Jason Dane Hovater
Corporal, U.S. Army

[All references to Hovater's rank in the citation for his Silver Star Medal indicate his rank as Corporal. However, the headstone at his grave indicates his rank as Specialist. Both ranks are pay grade E-4. This biography uses the rank cited in the citation.]

On 13 July 2008, then-Corporal Jason Dane Hovater was serving as a Rifleman with Company C, 2nd Battalion, 503rd Parachute Infantry Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team while deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan.

Shortly after 4:00 AM at the base at Wanat, Afghanistanan, an estimated 200 insurgents let loose a torrent of rocket-propelled-grenade fire that destroye the base’s anti-tank missile system and its mortar tubes. Then they trained their guns on the observation post (OP). CPL Hovater volunteered to reinforce an isolated platoon OP and moved with his platoon leader, 1LT Jonathan P. Brostrom, to that position with as much ammunition as they could carry. Under heavy direct fire from insurgent forces in nearby buildings, the 2 Soldiers ran to the OP. Upon arriving at the OP, CPL Hovater engaged the enemy with his personal weapon while also assisting 1LT Brostrom in the emplacement of a M240 machine gun acquired from a sergeant too injured to fight. CPL Hovater's actions helped the position defend itself from enemy fire and helped it avoid being overtaken by enemy forces. CPL Hovater demonstrated courage and unparalleled dedication in the face of imminent and mortal danger and his actions that day earned him, at the cost of his life, the U.S. Army's third highest award for valor, the Silver Star Medal.

Nine U.S. soldiers were killed and 27 were wounded during the 13 July attack, which raged for several hours and was one of the bloodiest of the Afghan war. In addition to CPL Hovater, 1LT Jonathan P. Brostrom [Honoree Record ID 8761] was among the 9 men killed. 1LT Brostrom was also posthumously awarded the Silver Star Medal. Both Hovater and Brostrom were KIA within minutes of their arrival at the OP.

Medals, Awards and Badges (Partial List)

Silver Star Medal
Bronze Star Medal
Purple Heart
Army Commendation Medal
Army Good Conduct Medal
National Defense Service Medal
Afghanistan Campaign Medal with Bronze Star
Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Army Service Ribbon
Army Overseas Service Ribbon
NATO ISAF Medal
Combat Infantryman Badge
Parachutist Badge

Silver Star Medal Citation

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918 (amended by an act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Corporal Jason D. Hovater, United States Army, for gallantry in action on 13 July 2008 at Wanat, Afghanistan while assigned as a Rifleman with Company C, 2d Battalion, 503d Parachute Infantry Regiment, 173d Airborne Brigade Combat Team in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. Corporal Hovater volunteered to reinforce an isolated platoon observation post and moved with his platoon leader to that position while under heavy direct fire from insurgent forces in nearby buildings. After arriving at the observation post, Corporal Hovater engaged the enemy with his personal weapon while also assisting in the emplacement of a mounted weapon. Corporal Hovater's actions ensured that the position was defended from enemy fire and helped prevent it from being overtaken by enemy forces. Corporal Hovater demonstrated courage and unparalleled dedication in the face of imminent and mortal danger. Corporal Hovater's actions reflect distinct credit upon himself, the 173d Airborne Brigade Combat Team and the United States Army.

Burial

Corporal Jason Dane Hovater is buried at the Tennessee State Veterans Cemetery in Knoxville, Knox County, TN, in Section A, Site 526.

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/28294687/jason-dane-hovater