We Honor and Remember:
SPC Jonathan Batista
Hometown: Kinnelon, NJ. Age: 22 years old. Died: July 8, 2012 in Operation Enduring Freedom. Unit: 2nd Battalion, 321st Airborne Field Artillery Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, NC. Birth: Aug. 19, 1989, New York, New York County, New York, USA. Spc. Jonathan Batista, 22, of Kinnelon, N.J., died July 8, in Zharay, Kandahar province, Afghanistan, when enemy forces attacked his unit with small arms fire. He was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 321st Airborne Field Artillery Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, N.C. "Jon was a devoted son, a caring brother, a Paratooper dedicated to the safety and security of his Infantry team and a newlywed," Lt. Col. Philip Raymond, Batista's battalion commander, said in a press release. "As a soldier, he represented the qualities and values that make our nation great." Born in New York City, Jonathan grew up in Rutherford before moving to Kinnelon 3 years ago. He was proudly serving his country as a paratrooper in the US Army's 82nd Airborne Division in the Zharay province of Afghanistan. This was his first deployment to Afghanistan. Jonathan has been awarded several medals, including the Purple Heart and the Bronze Star Medal. Jonathan is survived by his parents, Jeannette and Erik Gaston; his brother, Andrew Gaston; his sister, Gabriella Gaston; his grandparents, Mercedes Castillo, Sonia and Pedro Batista, and David and Beverly Gaston; and many close relatives and friends. Jonathan loved spending time with his many friends, who easily took to him and his charismatic personality. Burial: Our Lady of the Magnificat Church Chapel Kinnelon, Morris County, New Jersey, USA. |
EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 99
WHEREAS, United States Army Specialist Jonathan Batista graduated from Rutherford High School in 2007, before moving to Kinnelon, New Jersey; and
WHEREAS, Specialist Batista entered the United States Army in 2010 and was assigned to Battery B, 2nd Battalion, 321st Airborne Field Artillery Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, North Carolina; and
WHEREAS, Specialist Batista was an honorable and courageous young man who loved his country and the military; and
WHEREAS, Specialist Batista tragically lost his life while supporting Operation Enduring Freedom; and
WHEREAS, Specialist Batista was a dedicated soldier as well as a loving husband and son, whose memory lives in the hearts of his family, friends, and fellow soldiers; and
WHEREAS, Specialist Batista’s heroism, patriotism, and service to his country and his fellow soldiers make it appropriate and fitting for the State of New Jersey to remember him and his family, to mark his passing, and to honor his memory;
NOW, THEREFORE, I, CHRIS CHRISTIE, Governor of the State of New Jersey, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and by the Statutes of this State, do hereby ORDER and DIRECT:
1. The flag of the United States of America and the flag of New Jersey shall be flown at half-staff at all State departments, offices, agencies, and instrumentalities during appropriate hours on Wednesday, July 18, 2012, in recognition and mourning of a brave and loyal American hero, United States Army Specialist Jonathan Batista.
2. This Order shall take effect immediately.
GIVEN, under my hand and seal this 16th day of July, Two Thousand and Twelve, and of the Independence of the United States, the Two Hundred and Thirty-Seventh.
[seal]
/s/ Chris Christie
Governor
WHEREAS, United States Army Specialist Jonathan Batista graduated from Rutherford High School in 2007, before moving to Kinnelon, New Jersey; and
WHEREAS, Specialist Batista entered the United States Army in 2010 and was assigned to Battery B, 2nd Battalion, 321st Airborne Field Artillery Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, North Carolina; and
WHEREAS, Specialist Batista was an honorable and courageous young man who loved his country and the military; and
WHEREAS, Specialist Batista tragically lost his life while supporting Operation Enduring Freedom; and
WHEREAS, Specialist Batista was a dedicated soldier as well as a loving husband and son, whose memory lives in the hearts of his family, friends, and fellow soldiers; and
WHEREAS, Specialist Batista’s heroism, patriotism, and service to his country and his fellow soldiers make it appropriate and fitting for the State of New Jersey to remember him and his family, to mark his passing, and to honor his memory;
NOW, THEREFORE, I, CHRIS CHRISTIE, Governor of the State of New Jersey, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and by the Statutes of this State, do hereby ORDER and DIRECT:
1. The flag of the United States of America and the flag of New Jersey shall be flown at half-staff at all State departments, offices, agencies, and instrumentalities during appropriate hours on Wednesday, July 18, 2012, in recognition and mourning of a brave and loyal American hero, United States Army Specialist Jonathan Batista.
2. This Order shall take effect immediately.
GIVEN, under my hand and seal this 16th day of July, Two Thousand and Twelve, and of the Independence of the United States, the Two Hundred and Thirty-Seventh.
[seal]
/s/ Chris Christie
Governor
New Jersey Run for the Fallen ~ 2023
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New Jersey Run for the Fallen ~ 2022
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