Jason M. Butkus dies 'of wounds suffered when insurgents attacked his unit'

In a distinguished 12-year military career, Jason Butkus had been stationed across the United States and the world, serving as far away as Alaska and Korea. It was a fitting job, his family said, for a man who loved travel and soldiering.

In January, that job took the Passaic County native to Iraq, where he served with the 1st Infantry Division. Staff Sgt. Butkus, 34, died there Thursday after a rocket-propelled grenade struck his Humvee in Baghdad, the Army said.

The divorced father of a 9-year-old boy, Butkus was the 82nd service member with ties to New Jersey killed in Iraq.

"Our family is saddened and our hearts are heavy with grief," family members said in a statement released through Henry Kearney, an Army spokesman at Fort Monmouth. "Jason loved serving his country, and he also loved history and travel. He was a wonderful and caring son and a loving father to his own son, Connor."

Butkus grew up in West Milford and graduated from West Milford High School, where he was on the track and wrestling teams.

His mother, Cheryl Bohn, and stepfather, Edward Bohn, have since moved to Old Bridge. Tears in their eyes, they declined to comment beyond their statement tonight.

Two younger sisters also remain in New Jersey. The soldier's former wife and 9-year-old son live in Alaska.

Kearney said he knew few details of the attack on Butkus' Humvee. Butkus was the only soldier killed in the incident, the spokesman said.

Butkus joined the Army in 1995 and quickly began earning what would later amount to a chest full of medals and ribbons for his achievements. He was a top marksman and had accumulated numerous parachute jumps. Twice he was commended for his leadership as a noncommissioned officer.

In October of 2006, he joined the outfit with which he would later head off to war, the 1st Battalion, 28th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team.

In their statement, family members said Butkus enjoyed and took pride in his job.

"We were so lucky to have him for nearly 35 years," the family said. "He died doing what he loved, serving in uniform as an NCO. Our entire family is extremely proud of his service. Jason will always be a hero to us, and he will be deeply missed by his family and by his many friends."

In addition to his mother and stepfather, Butkus is survived by his two sisters, Tonya Butkus, 32, of West Milford and Vanessa Butkus, 28, of Bloomingdale; his father, Michael Butkus of Houston; his former wife, Amanda Butkus of Fairbanks, Alaska, and his son, Connor, also of Fairbanks.

Funeral arrangements were incomplete yesterday.

From the Star Ledger