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The Price of FreedomOn September 29th, 2010, Senior Airman Mark Forester, beloved son, brother and friend was killed in Afghanistan while attempting to save a fallen comrade. We hope that you find Mark's story a source of inspiration, patriotism and proof that heroes are real.
Mark was a member of the 21st Special Tactics Squadron, Pope AFB, NC. His website is dedicated to all Combat Controllers as well as US Servicemen, both past and present. We are eternally grateful for their service and sacrifice for the freedoms we enjoy. Mark A. Forester - JAG 28 (May 15, 1981 - September 29, 2010) |
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| “Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn't pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same” - Ronald Reagan | ||||
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category: about mark | view all recent posts
Biography - Freedom is not Free
Mark Andrew Forester - JAG 28
Born: May 15, 1981, Haleyville, AL
Graduated: Haleyville High School, 1999
2-year Volunteer Missionary: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Oakland, CA 2000-2002
Graduated: University of Alabama, BS, Finance, 2006
USAF Combat Controller: 2007-2010, assigned to 21STS, Pope AFB, NC
Distinguished Graduate: USAF Combat Control School 2008
Silver Star: Awarded 15 June 2012 for actions on 29 September 2010
Bronze Star with Valor: 6 August 2010
Purple Heart: 29 September 2010
KIA: In support of Operation Enduring Freedom, Uruzgon Province, Afghanistan, 29 September 2010
Survivors: Mom, Dad, 1 sister, 3 brothers, 16 nieces and nephews
Religion: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Remembered as a man who discovered his purpose in life, and died doing what he was sent here to do. Respectful son, loving brother, and true friend.
His Story:
While Mark was serving as a full-time missionary in California, our nation was attacked on 11 September 2001. As a young man of 20 years old, he was outraged by this act and knew then it was his calling to fight terrorism. He received his college degree, and then enlisted in the U.S. Air Force in June 2007. Despite everyone telling him to go in as an officer, he wanted to enlist because he wanted to start from the bottom up and he knew his chances of getting better deployment opportunities would be increased as an enlisted airman. He wanted the toughest job the military could offer, and Air Force Combat Controller was what he was looking for.
He was deployed to one of the most coveted areas by Combat Controllers in May 2010, FOB Cobra (Tinsley). He was awarded the Bronze Star Medal with Valor for his heroic actions while engaged in ground combat against the enemy on 6 August 2010. Mark was fatally wounded during combat on 29 September 2010. He was posthumously awarded the Silver Star for his actions during that fateful battle, and the Purple Heart for paying the ultimate price for freedom. He was killed in action alongside one of his Special Forces teammates. JAG 28, which was his call sign and the only name many pilots knew him by, was immediately retired after his death.
Most of his teammates/leaders who spoke at his funeral and memorial services ended their speeches with “Roll Tide” because they knew what a big Alabama fan he was.
Born: May 15, 1981, Haleyville, AL
Graduated: Haleyville High School, 1999
2-year Volunteer Missionary: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Oakland, CA 2000-2002
Graduated: University of Alabama, BS, Finance, 2006
USAF Combat Controller: 2007-2010, assigned to 21STS, Pope AFB, NC
Distinguished Graduate: USAF Combat Control School 2008
Silver Star: Awarded 15 June 2012 for actions on 29 September 2010
Bronze Star with Valor: 6 August 2010
Purple Heart: 29 September 2010
KIA: In support of Operation Enduring Freedom, Uruzgon Province, Afghanistan, 29 September 2010
Survivors: Mom, Dad, 1 sister, 3 brothers, 16 nieces and nephews
Religion: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Remembered as a man who discovered his purpose in life, and died doing what he was sent here to do. Respectful son, loving brother, and true friend.
His Story:
While Mark was serving as a full-time missionary in California, our nation was attacked on 11 September 2001. As a young man of 20 years old, he was outraged by this act and knew then it was his calling to fight terrorism. He received his college degree, and then enlisted in the U.S. Air Force in June 2007. Despite everyone telling him to go in as an officer, he wanted to enlist because he wanted to start from the bottom up and he knew his chances of getting better deployment opportunities would be increased as an enlisted airman. He wanted the toughest job the military could offer, and Air Force Combat Controller was what he was looking for.
He was deployed to one of the most coveted areas by Combat Controllers in May 2010, FOB Cobra (Tinsley). He was awarded the Bronze Star Medal with Valor for his heroic actions while engaged in ground combat against the enemy on 6 August 2010. Mark was fatally wounded during combat on 29 September 2010. He was posthumously awarded the Silver Star for his actions during that fateful battle, and the Purple Heart for paying the ultimate price for freedom. He was killed in action alongside one of his Special Forces teammates. JAG 28, which was his call sign and the only name many pilots knew him by, was immediately retired after his death.
Most of his teammates/leaders who spoke at his funeral and memorial services ended their speeches with “Roll Tide” because they knew what a big Alabama fan he was.
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