Cpl Jonathan Ayers - Someone You Should Know

Heros

Stars and Stripes

Outnumbered but not outgunned, a platoon-plus element of soldiers with 2nd Platoon, Company C, 2nd Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment (Airborne), 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team accompanied by Afghan soldiers engaged in a fistfight of a firefight.

After maybe two hours of intense combat, some of the soldiers’ guns seized up because they expelled so many rounds so quickly. Insurgent bullets and dozens of rocket-propelled grenades filled the air. So many RPGs were fired at the soldiers that they wondered how the insurgents had so many.

That was July 13. That was when Stafford was blown out of a fighting position by an RPG, survived a grenade blast and had the tail of an RPG strike his helmet.

That was the day nine Chosen Company soldiers died.

It was just days before the unit was scheduled to leave the base.

At another spot on the observation post, Spc. Jonathan Ayers laid down continuous fire from an M-240 machine gun, despite drawing huge volumes of small-arms and RPG fire from the enemy.

At least 5 or 6 RPGs exploded all around him and he never even flinched. Those that saw what he did said, "He just kept rocking on that 240."

The survivors said it was the most heroic thing they'd ever seen. Like a movie. They feel he saved their lives.He kept the enemy from getting anywhere near COP.

Blackfive

"Yesterday I had the distinct honor and privilege of attending the ceremony honoring the valor of Cpl Jonathan Ayers and the presentation of the posthumous award of the Silver Star to his family.

I expected a somber event. But it was instead, by direction of Cpl Ayers mother Suzanne, a celebration of his life. Cpl Ayers served with Chosen Company, 2nd Bn, (Airborne) 503rd Infantry Regiment of the 173rd ABCT in Afghanistan.

That company compiled an impressive combat record there, but at a cost. Over 60 of the Chosen were awarded Purple Hearts, 16 of them posthumously. Cpl Jonathan Ayers was killed in action in the battle of Wanat, where 9 Sky Soldiers lost their lives. According to those who witnessed Cpl Ayers heroics, he epitomized the nickname by which the regiment is known: The Rock."

Stars and Stripes

Blackfive