An official website of the United States government
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

21st Special Tactics Squadron remembers fallen comrade

  • Published
  • By 1st Lt. Amy Cooper
  • Air Force Special Operations Command Public Affairs
POPE AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. --  It was standing room only at a memorial service held here March 26 honoring a combat controller recently killed in Afghanistan.
 
Tech. Sgt. William Jefferson Jr., 21st Special Tactics Squadron, died March 22 near Sperwan Ghar when the vehicle he and his Army special forces teammates were riding in encountered an improvised explosive device. 

The C-130 hangar where the ceremony was held was full of special tactics Airmen and members of the joint special operations community who came to honor the life of Sergeant Jefferson. Members of the Jefferson family were there as well. 

"The strength of special tactics resides in its (non-commissioned officer) corps," said Col. Marc Stratton, 720th Special Tactics Group commander. "For it is there that one can find the combination of practical combat skills and experiences that serve two purposes: seeing a mission through to conclusion, often adapting and overcoming an obstacle, and building and mentoring less experienced enlisted and officer personnel, thus ensuring the continued health and capability of the force. 

"Will fulfilled both these roles with dedication and professionalism." 

Sergeant Jefferson began his military career as a force reconnaissance Marine before transitioning to the Air Force in 1996 to become a combat controller with the 21st STS. In 2002, he volunteered to become an instructor at the Combat Control School at Pope. 

"This is where many will say Will was most successful, and he had the greatest impact on the special tactics corps," Colonel Stratton said. 

During his time at the schoolhouse, he replenished the career field, training more than 400 combat controllers in the four years he was an instructor. 

"As a senior NCO, he left behind a legacy of excellence to the operators he trained," said Colonel Stratton. 

In 2006, Sergeant Jefferson returned to the 21st STS where he served for the remainder of his career. 

Sergeant Jefferson's final deployment took him to Afghanistan in January where he served as a joint terminal attack controller with an Army special forces detachment. His team encountered a number of troops-in-contact situations leading up to his final mission, Colonel Stratton said. 

"In each [situation] Will performed superbly, directing a sequence of synchronized and coordinated air power, often under enemy fire," he said. "His call sign ... became well-known to the aircrews overhead, always a calm grounded voice despite the short-term chaos that often follows contact with the enemy." 

At the end of his remarks, Colonel Stratton formally retired Sergeant Jefferson's call sign. 

During his remarks about Sergeant Jefferson, Lt. Col. Thad Allen, 21st STS acting commander, referred to a quote from John Stuart Mill, reading, "The person who has nothing for which he is willing to fight, nothing which is more important than his own personal safety, is a miserable creature and has no chance of being free unless made and kept so by the exertions of better men than himself." 

In his role as mentor and teacher, Sergeant Jefferson made the junior enlisted and company grade officers he worked with better men, said Colonel Allen. 

However, his influence also made an impact off the battlefield. He was described repeatedly as a true family man, who tore through the mail piles while deployed searching out letters from his wife and daughter. 

"Kristy, Will taught husbands and fathers how to be a better man," Colonel Allen said to Sergeant Jefferson's widow. 

Sergeant Jefferson was described several times as "jovial" by his teammates. His jovial spirit was present at points during the somber ceremony. 

"Have you ever made the mistake of sitting at the table and playing a little Texas Hold 'Em with Will? You know who the better man is," Colonel Allen said, referring to the sergeant's cunning card skills. 

Also during the ceremony, letters were read from 21st STS Airmen still deployed in support of Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom. 

"This nation lost a great warrior, son, father and husband," Lt. Col. Mike Martin, 21st Expeditionary Special Tactics Squadron commander, said in a letter. "He gave his life doing what he loved and what we expected him to do ... I could not have asked anything more from him. He was absolutely brilliant on the battlefield." 

"He was always eager, but not anxious. He cared about doing his job to the best of his ability and not for reward," read another letter. 

The same letter referred to the sergeant's ability to "make calm out of chaos," at one point helping his team out of a four-way ambush. 

"For my fallen brother, I will fight on and fight harder, and never forget your sacrifice," the letter continued. "You will live on forever in all our memories, and it was a privilege to fight on beside you." 

Another letter said Sergeant Jefferson was "as lethal as any of the ordnance and tools of the trade we employ." He was a true role model who, "kept his friends as brothers and his teammates as equals." 

"It saddens me to know that you have lost a hero of a father, a commando of a husband, a warrior of a son, and a fine combat controller as a brother," that letter continued. "We all have a long road to travel." 

Following remarks from his teammates, Sergeant Jefferson was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star, Purple Heart and Air Force Combat Action Medal, which were placed next to a single helmet atop a rifle and boots displayed at the foot of the stage. 

A funeral for Sergeant Jefferson will be held March 30 in Virginia Beach, Va.