Pentagon Names Fourth Service Member Killed in Afghanistan Blast

The Defense Department has identified another U.S. Army soldier killed in the Nov. 27 enemy bomb explosion that killed two other soldiers and an Air Force airman in Afghanistan.

Sgt. Jason Mitchell McClary, 24, died Dec. 2 in Landstuhl, Germany, from injuries sustained by an improvised explosive device in Andar District, Ghazni Province, according to a Dec. 3 Pentagon press release.

McClary, of Export, Pennsylvania, was among three U.S. service members, as well as an American contractor, who initially were wounded in the blast.

The incident remains under investigation, the release states.

Army Capt. Andrew Patrick Ross, Army Sgt. 1st Class Eric Michael Emond and Air Force Staff Sgt. Dylan J. Elchin were killed by the explosion.

McClary was assigned to 1st Battalion, 38th Infantry Regiment, 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, at Fort Carson, Colorado, the release states.

"The Rock battalion expresses its deepest sympathies and condolences to the family and friends tragically affected by the loss of Sgt. Jason McClary. He epitomizes what it is to be a professional, a warrior and a soldier," Lt. Col. Christopher Roberts, commander of 1st Battalion, 38th Infantry Regiment, said in a separate press release from Fort Carson. "Sgt. McClary served honorably as an up-armored vehicle gunner for the Attack Company. His memory and contributions will never be forgotten."

McClary entered the Army on Jan. 21, 2014. He deployed to Iraq from May 2016 to January 2017. This most recent deployment to Afghanistan began in April of this year, the Fort Carson release states.

His awards and decorations include two Purple Hearts, Army Commendation Medal with Valor, Army Commendation Medal (Combat), Army Commendation Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal with Campaign Star, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, NATO Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal with Campaign Star, Combat Infantryman Badge and the Air Assault Badge.

-- Matthew Cox can be reached at matthew.cox@military.com.