Camaraderie and tragedy

Image courtesy: U.S. Army

Pfc. David Jefferson, left, and Pfc. John Pardue were friends, former roommates, and brothers in arms. The 101st Airborne Division medics deployed to Afghanistan in May as part of the 502nd Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team. The two buddies spent six weeks helping the wounded near the front lines, until a battlefield tragedy forced one to care for the other.

The Augusta Chronicle has a harrowing account of the July 2 events in Kandahar. According to Chuck Pardue, an independent state senate candidate in the Augusta, Georgia, area, an improvised explosive device detonated near his son and Pfc. Jefferson while they were on foot patrol. Despite a badly injured leg and the possiblity that terrorists would follow the IED attack with small arms fire, Pfc. Pardue knelt over his friend and frantically performed CPR. Despite his best efforts, Jefferson died from his devastating injuries.

According to Susan McCord's article, Pardue stayed in Afghanistan long enough to honor his ex-roommate at a memorial service. He is now flying back to the United States for surgery.

"I feel better now because he's coming home, at least for awhile," [the wounded soldier's father] said.

WPVI-TV in Philadelphia, where Pfc. Jefferson lived, spoke to his father, James Lyles, a Vietnam veteran. While conveying the overwhelming nature of the pain his family is experiencing, Lyles is praising the military for its handling of his son's death.

"I want to give them high marks from the time I was notified to the time I got to Dover," James said. "The team the Army has put together has been nothing but fantastic."

Jefferson's mother, who recently succumbed to cancer, also served in the U.S. Army. While following in the footsteps of his parents, the decorated soldier had hoped to attend medical school after returning from his deployment to Afghanistan. Jefferson also leaves behind his wife, two-year-old son, and many more loved ones and fellow troops.

Pfc. John Pardue will never forget Pfc. David Jefferson or the day he tried to save his life. Hopefully, while recovering from his injuries, the volunteer warrior's pain will be eased by knowing his friend would have done the same for him.