KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A Missouri soldier killed in Afghanistan returned home Tuesday.
The remains of Issac B. Jackson, 27, arrived at Kansas City International Airport just after noon.Jackson leaves behind a wife Kristen who is eight months pregnant. The couple also has an 18-month-old son named Enoch. “One of the reasons he was in the Army was to make sure his son didn't have to see another 9/11,” says Chad Ward who is Kristen step-father.
Jackson was born in Plattsburg. He moved to Lathrop, Missouri before his freshman year of high school. He joined the Army in 2004.
“He was definitely a soldier, a leader and a Christian,” says Staff Sgt. John Phillip who served with Jackson during his first tour in Afghanistan.
Jackson was one of seven servicemen killed last week while supporting Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan.
The Department of Defense says Jackson, and six other soldiers, died from wounds suffered when an improvised explosive device destroyed their vehicle. The attack from enemy forces occurred in the Arghandab Valley of Afghanistan.
The soldiers were assigned to the 1st Battalion, 17th Infantry Regiment, 5th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, Fort Lewis, Wash.
Jackson served as an anti-armor specialist, radio-telephone operator and grenadier. Jackson had been awarded the Army Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal and Combat Infantryman Badge, among others.
A memorial service is scheduled for 1 p.m. on Wednesday at Lathrop High School. Governor Jay Nixon ordered all state buildings to fly their flags at half-staff from November 4-10 in honor of Jackson.Friends of the soldier set up a memorial
Facebook page in his honor.
