VANCOUVER, WA, US
U.S. Marine Corps
SGT, 3D BN 5TH MAR, (RCT-2, I MEF FWD), 1ST MAR DIV, CAMP PENDLETON, CA
12/07/2010, BETHESDA, UNITED STATES
The lost we feel is immeasurable. We will never see his beautiful smiling face, hear his infectious laugh. We will miss the light when he walks in a room. Although he had no children Jason loved his nephews and nieces. He would visit my niece in Huntington Beach not far from Pendleton to take our little great nephew “Tyler Bean” fishing at the beach.
If a child was crying he could sooth them by just a smile or picking them up. We are devastated. Our youngest son was in the Marine Corps in 2000 and was medically discharged in 2004 and lives with us. Our other son had to stay to be with him. He was unable to come because he is having an operation at the VA this next week. God works in mysterious ways because it has been a blessing that they did not have to see their brother suffer.
This is what is being printed but there are no words to really describe him to you.
Sergeant Jason Darren Peto; 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force returned home on Tuesday, December 7, 2010 at the Bethesda Naval Hospital in Maryland after fighting bravely and honorably over in Afghanistan defending his Country and his Lord. Jason was severely injured on Nov. 24th while on a mission in Sangin. He was flown to Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany and then to Bethesda Naval Hospital in Maryland.
Jason was born on January 28, 1979 in Montebello, California to Ernest and Janie Peto. The family moved to Vancouver, Washington in 1990 and Jason attended and graduated from Mountain View High School in Vancouver and was a member of the FFA. It was at Mountain View where he met his high school sweetheart and love of his life Tiffany Dillmon. They married on August 15, 2005.
Jason entered the Marine Corps in 2004 and graduated boot camp at MCRD San Diego. Jason was stationed at 29 Palms, California from 2004-2008. He was deployed in 2005 to Ramadi, Iraq with the 3/7 India Co. Jason was gunner in a Humvee hit by an IED. Jason was injured and sent to Germany and then home after 4 months of deployment. He proudly received the Purple Heart Medal.
Jason was deployed again in 2007 to Ramadi, Iraq with 3/7 India Co. He was deployed for 7 months. Jason reenlisted while in Iraq for another four years. Jason was stationed at Camp Pendleton, Ca. as a division school Mt. instructor urban combat. While stationed at Camp Pendleton, Jason resided in Mission Viejo in California. Jason was then sent to Quantico, Virginia for weapons Training, and Fort Huachuca in Arizona for weapons and explosive training. When Jason returned to Camp Pendleton he volunteered for deployment to, Afghanistan, he deployed to Sangin, Helmand Province with the 3/5 Kilo Co. on Sept. 25, 2010. Throughout Jason’s valiant military career he had received numerous awards, medals, and accreditations. These included the Purple Heart, Combat Action Ribbon, Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Certificate of Commendation (Individual Award), Certificate of Commendation (Unit Award), Good Conduct Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal, SMCR Medal, Combat Marksmanship Training, Infantry Rifleman, Navy Achievement Medal, Operation Iraqi Freedom, and Operation Enduring Freedom for Afghanistan. Sergeant Peto was awarded the Gold star in Lieu of a second Purple Heart.
Outside of his distinguished military career, Jason enjoyed hunting with his Dad, fishing with his great nephew, riding his horse, snowmobiling, SPORTS, LA Dodgers to irritate his favorite uncle (an Angels fan), and Motorcycle riding. Jason was loved by so many, family, friends, and neighbors and has left a void that can never be replaced.