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.

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New Jersey Run for the Fallen 2023 ~ Click photos below to enlarge...

New Jersey Run for the Fallen 2022 ~ Click photos below to enlarge...