Army Sgt. Jason A. Santora
Death: Apr 23, 2010
of Farmingville N.Y.; assigned to the 3rd Battalion 75th Ranger Regiment Fort Benning Ga.; Died April 23 in Logar province Afghanistan of wounds sustained while conducting combat operations. Also killed was Sgt. Ronald A. Kubik. Was planning to become a recruiter The Associated Press When Jason Santora’s parents were unable to throw his little sister Gina a Sweet 16 birthday party he decided to throw her one using money from his pool cleaning job. “I always said that every girl should have a big brother like him” Gina Santora said. Santora of Massapequa Park N.Y. was serving his fourth tour of duty — his second in Afghanistan after two in Iraq — when his unit was ambushed April 23 in Logar province. Santora25 was shot and killed during the battle. He had planned to make this his last mission and start recruiting for the Army in July. He was assigned to Fort Benning Ga. Santora graduated from Sachem North High School in 2003. He had been involved in the school’s science research and aviation programs and graduated early said school Superintendent James Nolan. Current Sachem North students were so moved by Santora’s death that they are creating a tribute to fallen soldiers. “He was a hero” said his father Gary Santora. “He Died loving what he was doing.” Santora also is survived by his mother Theresa Santora. Operation Enduring Freedom