Local Green Beret Killed

Bomb claims Simi Valley native, three others in Iraq
By Angie Valencia-Martinez, Staff Writer

SIMI VALLEY - A Green Beret who always wanted to be a soldier was killed Monday when an bomb detonated near a Humvee carrying the Simi Valley native and three other soldiers near Al Mahmudiyah, Iraq.

Sgt. Jonathan Tessar, 36, achieved a boyhood dream when he passed the General Education Development test so he could enlist in the military before turning 18.

The special forces soldier, who was nine months away from retiring, fought in the Persian Gulf War and served in Yugoslavia before seeing action in Iraq.

"He loved his country," said his older brother, Bill Tessar of Simi Valley. "He wanted to go into the Army when he was 5 years old.

"I think the most painful for me is that for 19 years, he had to live abroad in all these different countries and sacrificed many holidays and family events for his country. What I was most looking forward to was spending time together."

The last time the family saw the decorated soldier was in May when his father died.

The soldier, based out of Fort Campbell, Ky., is survived by his wife Nancy and three children.

"His family was more important to him

than anything, but his love and loyalty to the Army and to his soldiers was unwavering," Nancy Tessar said in a prepared statement.

Memorial services for Tessar and the three other men will be held in Iraq and at Fort Campbell in the coming days.

Bill Tessar said he is planning a service in Simi Valley before his brother is laid to rest, possibly in Virginia. He said his brother wanted to be buried in Arlington National Cemetery and the family is trying to work out arrangements.

Tessar is Simi Valley's fifth casualty of the Iraq war.

The four soldiers were assigned to the Army's 2nd Battalion, 502nd Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division.

Angie Valencia-Martinez, (805) 583-7604

angie.valencia@dailynews.com

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