Johnston, Jason Michael

Jason Michael Johnston was a 24-year-old soldier from Albion, a small town in western New York. He served as an infantryman with Company B, 2nd Battalion, 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, based at Fort Bragg, North Carolina.

On December 26, 2009, Specialist Johnston was killed by an improvised explosive device while on a dismounted patrol in the Arghandab District of Kandahar province, Afghanistan. The Arghandab River Valley was a known Taliban stronghold and a focal point of intense combat operations at the time.

Johnston's death occurred during Operation Enduring Freedom, the U.S.-led military campaign in Afghanistan that began in October 2001 following the September 11 attacks. By late 2009, the conflict was marked by a significant troop surge and fierce fighting in southern provinces like Kandahar.

His body was returned to the United States, and a funeral service was held in his hometown. The Department of Defense officially announced his death on December 28, 2009.

Specialist Johnston was posthumously promoted from Private First Class to Specialist. He is remembered on memorials in his hometown and is one of more than 2,300 American service members who died during Operation Enduring Freedom.

Johnston was killed during Operation Enduring Freedom (2001–2014). The conflict concluded in December 2014. See the full roster of those killed in this conflict.

Among those documented in the same conflict: Andrews, Evander Earl, Edmunds, Jonn Joseph, Stonesifer, Kristofor Tif, Davis, Bryant Leroy.

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