Jesse Wayne Ainsworth
September 17, 1985 – July 10, 2010
The Memorial Shield for SSG Jesse Ainsworth was commissioned by Lucas Lewis and added to the Memorial Fenceline in 2024. Army Staff Sergeant Jesse Wayne Ainsworth, and Lucas Lewis, founder of Project Gallantly Forward, served together with 1/71 CAV on the same Humvee during both their first deployments in Iraq. Several years later, Jesse gave his life for the United States of America on July 10, 2010, while building a water reservoir in Walakan, Afghanistan. SSG Ainsworth died from an improvised explosive device. While in Afghanistan, SSG Ainsworth was a team leader for a personal security detachment. SSG Ainsworth was an infantry solider assigned to the C Troop, 1st Squadron, 71st Cavalry, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division at Fort Drum, NY. He was born September 17th, 1985, in Baytown, TX, to Donald and Margaret Ainsworth and grew up in Dayton, TX. Upon graduating from high school, Jesse enlisted in the U.S. Army and completed basic training at Ft. Benning, GA.SSG Ainsworth’s distinguished four year military career included two combat deployments in Iraq and was currently deployed to Afghanistan. SSG Ainsworth’s awards and decorations include 2 Army Commendation Medals, 2 Army Achievement Medals, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Meritorious Unit Citation, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Iraqi Campaign Medal, Non-Commissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, NATO Medal, two Certificate of Achievements, and Combat Infantry Badge. SSG Ainsworth was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart, the Bronze Star and Cluster for his NATO Medal. A news article from the Houston Chronicle article states, “Friends recalled Ainsworth as the outdoors type who enjoyed hunting and fishing in the woods near his home on the outskirts of Dayton. Ainsworth led his troops through a variety of dangerous missions when the division was in Iraq, said 1st Sgt. Robert M. Preusser Jr. ‘He always performed exceptionally. There was no doubt this soldier was destined to be a leader,’ Preusser said. ‘Not only was he a physical stud, who never seemed to wear down, but he did his job while making everyone else laugh,’ said Preusser, who left the unit before it was sent to Afghanistan.”
Note: information taken from Jesse’s obituary and the Houston Chronicle article.
