Jesse Wayne Ainsworth

A soldier, husband, father, son, brother, uncle, grandson, friend, and hero, Army Staff Sergeant Jesse Wayne Ainsworth, gave his life for the United States of America on July 10, 2010, while building a water reservoir in Walakan, Afghanistan. SSG Ainsworth died from an improvised explosive device. While in Afghanistan, SSG Ainsworth was a team leader for a personal security detachment. SSG Ainsworth was an infantry solider assigned to the C Troop, 1st Squadron, 71st Cavalry, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division at Fort Drum, NY.

He was born September 17th, 1985, in Baytown, TX, to Donald and Margaret Ainsworth and grew up in Dayton, TX. Upon graduating from high school, Jesse enlisted in the U.S. Army in and completed basic training at Ft. Benning, GA.

SSG Ainsworth’s distinguished four year military career included two combat deployments in Iraq and was currently deployed to Afghanistan. SSG Ainsworth’s awards and decorations include 2 Army Commendation Medals, 2 Army Achievement Medals, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Meritorious Unit Citation, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Iraqi Campaign Medal, Non-Commissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, NATO Medal, two Certificate of Achievements, and Combat Infantry Badge.

SSG Ainsworth was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart, the Bronze Star and Cluster for his NATO Medal.

Jesse leaves behind a wife Sarah Ainsworth and two daughters, Lexie Ainsworth, of Dayton, Texas, and Lanna Ainsworth, of Philadelphia, New York. He is preceded in death by his father, Donald Ainsworth. Survived by his mother, Margie Hutchins and step-father Gene Hutchins of Dayton, Texas; Father- in law, Gary Ciman and wife Debra Ciman of Philadelphia, New York; Sisters, Shane Parsons and husband Ryan Parsons of The Woodlands, Texas, Rebecca Smith and husband Eric Smith of Richmond, TX; Grandma, Imogene Ewton; Step-brother: Kevin Hutchins of Dayton; Great aunt, Wanda Collins; Brother in law, Sergeant First Class Robert Ciman and wife Alexis Ciman of Fort Lewis, Washington; Sister in laws, Laura Garcia and husband Airman First Class Chris Garcia of Ellsworth AFB, South Dakota, Stephanie Smith and husband Private First Class Ethan Smith of Fort Drum, NY; Nephews, Brendan and Maddux; Nieces, Kylie, Cameron, Kinnah, Kira, and Kena; and countless aunts, uncles, cousins, and relatives.

Visitation will be held from 5:00 to 9:00 p.m. on Friday, July 16, 2010 at Pace Stancil Funeral Home in Dayton, Texas. A Memorial Service will be held at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, July 17, 2010 at the Dayton Community Center, 801 South Cleveland, Dayton, Texas. SSG Jesse W. Ainsworth will be buried at Houston Veterans Cemetery with Full Military Honors on Saturday, July 17, 2010.

In lieu of usual remembrances, contributions may be made to his two daughters. A savings account in trust of Margaret Hutchins and Rebecca Smith has been set up at First Liberty National Bank, 109 East Hwy 90, Dayton, Texas 77535.