The Department of Defense announced today the death of two Soldiers who were supporting Operation Enduring Freedom. They died July 19 in Kunar province, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when enemy forces attacked their vehicle with an improvised explosive device. They were assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 27th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, Schofield Barracks, Hawaii.
Killed were Staff Sgt. James M. Christen, 29, of Loomis, Calif. and Sgt. Jacob Molina, 27, of Houston, Texas.
Staff Sgt. Christen’s awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart (both posthumous), Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal with Star, Iraq Campaign with Star, Global War on Terrorism Medal, Army Service Medal, Noncommissioned Officer Profession Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, NATO Medal, Combat Infantryman Badge and the Parachutist Badge.
This was Staff Sgt. Christen’s third deployment overseas.
He previously served two tours in Iraq. Staff Sgt. Christen enlisted in the U.S. Army June 22, 2000 as an Infantryman.
Sgt. Jacob Molina’s awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal (posthumous), Purple Heart (posthumous), Combat Infantryman Badge (posthumous), Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal with Star, Iraq Campaign Medal with Star, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, and the Army Service Ribbon.
This was Sgt. Molina’s second deployment overseas. He previously served one tour in Iraq. Sgt. Molina enlisted in the U.S. Army February 15, 2007 as an Infantryman.
Both Soldiers were married.
Submitted by Department of Defense.