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Special Warfare Operator First Class Jason Lewis was conducting combat operations in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom when he was killed July 6, 2007, in Baghdad, Iraq.  He was 30 years old.  SO1 Lewis was assigned to an East Coast-based SEAL team at the time of his death and had served in the Special Operations community since 1997.  He was a 1995 graduate of Brookfield High School.  He is a recipient of a Bronze Star and a Purple Heart.  

“Jason loved what he did. From the time he went to school, he was always my little MacGyver,” Jason’s mom, Jean Mariano told the New Milford Spectrum. “He was never going to be a nine to five guy,” she said, with a smile. “I couldn’t be prouder of the way he turned out. He had the right stuff.”

He is survived by his wife, Donna and his children, Jack, Max, and Grace.

- Submitted by Surviving Wife, Donna

The Travis Manion Foundation honored SO1 Lewis by partnering with Athena Passage, and provided Challenge Grants, empowering a team of seven survivors to travel to England, train, and swim the English Channel in July 2012.  As a member of the team, Donna Lewis swam in honor of her husband.