UKIAH, CA, USA U.S. Army SGT, COMPANY E, 2D BATTALION, 8TH INFANTRY, 2 BCT, FORT HOOD, TX BAGHDAD, IRAQ 06/21/2006
Sergeant Jason James Buzzard, died in Iraq, south of Baghdad, serving his country in the US Army as the result of enemy action. He was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 8th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division. His unit was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. He was killed on June 21, 2006. Jason joined the US Army on February 18, 1998. He was awarded the Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart, Army Achievement Medal, Good Conduct Medal (2), National Defense Service Medal, Iraqi Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, Combat Action Badge and EOD patch.
A native of Willits, Jason was 31 years old having lived in the area most of those years and also Colorado and Texas, not counting his eight years in the military. He graduated from Ukiah High School and had worked for Masonite Corp prior to joining the Army. He was most proud of his wife, children and his EOD patch. During his final leave in May 2006, Jason watched his son play catcher in three baseball games, and his daughter play outfield in a softball game. Michala was 12 and Tristen 9 when he died.
He enjoyed bowling, fishing, watching sports, and helping with children’s sports activities. Jason will be remembered for his smile and eyes, dry sense of humor, his ability to make his wife smile and know when she needed it. His favorite quote was “carried by six or judged by 12.