Captain Jonathan D. Grassbaugh

Jonathan D. Grassbaugh was born on August 18, 1981. He was a Captain in the United States Army. Captain Grassbaugh was an Army Ranger who was serving his second tour of duty in Iraq and was assigned to the 5th Squadron, 73rd Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division. He was killed by an improvised explosive device in Zaganiyah, Iraq on April 7, 2007. He was 25 years old.

The following quotes were taken from Captain Grassbaugh's page on the Arlington National Cemetery website.

Major Townley Hedrick, the squadron's executive officer said,
"Professionally, he was the smartest and most competent guy that I've had a chance to work with in 15 years in the Army," Hedrick said yesterday. "On a personal level, out of all the other captains on the staff, he was kind of the center of gravity." There was no one else to call to get the job done as well as Grassbaugh could do it, Hedrick said, and when it came for a little morale boosting, it was Grassbaugh who came up with the best ideas -- like having pizza delivered in the middle of a war zone.

"He was just in tune with what all the guys needed," Hedrick said. "He had the perfect mix of a sense of urgency and a sense of humor, which is so important to have in the Army."

"He laid down his life for us and for his country, and we are grateful," said the Rev. Frederick Pennett during the funeral Mass at St. Anne's Catholic Church. "For there is no greater love than this. Jonathan's story and his memory will go on forever."

May you rest in peace Captain Grassbaugh knowing that you have done your duty and served your country with honor and courage.