Jason Anthony Santora
Sergeant, U.S. Army

Jason Anthony Santora enlisted in the U.S. Army in March 2006. He completed Infantry One Station Unit Training, the Basic Airborne Course, Ranger Indoctrination Program and the Army Ranger Course at Fort Benning, GA. After graduating from the Ranger Course he was then assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 3rd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment in September 2006 where he served as a mortarman. In June 2008 he was assigned to Company D as a rifle team leader.

On 23 April 2010, Sergeant Jason Anthony Santora was serving as a Rifle Team Leader with the 3rd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, Fort Benning, GA, while deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan.

On that day, SGT Santora’s unit was engaged in combat action against enemy forces in Logar Province, Afghanistan. SGT Santora’s courageous actions and devotion to duty that day earned him, at the cost of his life, the U.S. Army's third highest award for valor, the Silver Star Medal.

Santora was on his 4th deployment in support of the War on Terror with one previous deployment to Afghanistan and 2 deployments to Iraq.

Medals, Awards, Badges and Tabs

Silver Star Medal
Bronze Star Medal
Purple Heart
Meritorious Service Medal
Army Commendation Medal with Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster
Army Achievement Medal with Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster
Army Good Conduct Medal
National Defense Service Medal
Afghanistan Campaign Medal with Bronze Star
Iraq Campaign Medal with 2 Bronze Stars
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Army NCO Professional Development Ribbon
Army Service Ribbon
Army Overseas Service Ribbon
NATO ISAF Medal
Combat Infantryman Badge
Parachutist Badge
Ranger Tab

Silver Star Medal Citation (Synopsis)

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 pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Sergeant Jason A. Santora, United States Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy while serving with the 3d Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM in Logar Province, Afghanistan. His gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.

Burial

Sergeant Jason Anthony Santora is buried at the Calverton National Cemetery in Calverton, Suffolk County, NY, in Section 42, Site 429.

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/51561977/jason-a-santora