'He sacrificed a lot before he ever sacrificed his life'

Image courtesy: U.S. Army

Many of the volunteer warriors you read about on The Unknown Soldiers surprise their families and friends when they join the military. Yet when Staff Sgt. Jesse Ainsworth enlisted in the Army after high school, many thought it was a perfect fit.

"I guarantee he liked doing what he was doing in the Army. That's the kind of guy he was," said Brandon Sheffield, who had known Ainsworth since elementary school.

An article in The Houston Chronicle, written by reporter and Iraq war veteran Mike Glenn, said Staff Sgt. Ainsworth's first two combat tours were in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. The Dayton, Texas, soldier served as a team leader for a personal security detachment in C Troop, 1st Squadron, 71st Cavalry, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, Fort Drum, New York.

When Ainsworth recently learned he'd be deploying to Afghanistan, he wasn't worried about himself. He was deeply concerned about his newborn daughter, as well as leaving his wife to care for their child at Fort Drum.

"He sacrificed a lot before he ever sacrificed his life," [sister Rebecca] Smith said. "I can't imagine having to do that."

According to the Pentagon, Ainsworth was killed on Saturday when terrorists attacked his unit in Walakan, Afghanistan. A lover of the outdoors and especially fishing, the 24-year-old team leader had been busy building a water reservoir to help the Afghan people. Tributes began pouring in on Facebook shortly after his death, which came on the same day as fellow Fort Drum soldier Sgt. Donald Edgerton.

"Ainsworth was on my crew in '06, and was a friend," Brandon Dickson wrote. "God bless his family and all the Ghost Squadron. Ainsworth will never be forgotten."

The fallen soldier's sister-in-law, Laura Garcia, relayed her family's appreciation for all the moving tributes.

"Thanks for all the love and support for the Ainsworth family," Garcia wrote. "I would like to let the Edgerton family know that our prayers are with them as well."

While Ainsworth and Edgerton lived in Texas and North Carolina, respectively, the state of New York made sure to honor the fallen heroes from Fort Drum. While announcing that flags would be lowered to half staff in their honor, Gov. David Paterson issued this statement:

"I join with all New Yorkers in expressing our sympathy to the family, friends and fellow soldiers of Staff Sergeant Jesse Ainsworth and Sergeant Donald Edgerton," Governor Paterson said. "While not native New Yorkers, we consider all those who serve at Fort Drum to be part of our New York family and we will honor their service to our nation and never forget their sacrifice."

It is not a cliche to say this soldier gave everything for his kids, including a three-year-old daughter who lives with her mother in Texas. While the two little girls the soldier left behind will grow up without a father in the audience at ballet dances and school plays, loved ones will almost certainly explain that their dad is watching from a different place. For the safety and security of his children, Staff Sgt. Jesse Ainsworth offered his life.

Note: A savings account, in trust of Margaret Hutchins and Rebecca Smith, has been set up at First Liberty National Bank, 109 East Hwy 90, Dayton, Texas 77535. Memorial contributions will be set aside for the fallen soldier's two daughters.