Jason Amerine
Encyclopedia
Jason Amerine is a Lieutenant Colonel
in the United States Army Special Forces. He served in the Invasion of Afghanistan in 2001, in which he aided tribal leader Hamid Karzai
in fighting a guerilla war against the Taliban. For bravery in the invasion, he was awarded the Bronze Star Medal
and the Purple Heart
. He was also a "Real Hero" in the America's Army
video game.
of the Army's 3rd Battalion, 5th Special Forces Group. When training Kazakh paratroops in Kazakhstan
, he received news of the September 11 attacks. He was assigned to help Afghan
freedom fighters overthrow the Taliban rule in Afghanistan
. He joined forces with local tribal leader Hamid Karzai
, who assisted the US
invasion via his own guerrilla war. In Uruzgan, Amerine with his Americans and Karzai with his freedom fighters both defended the town of Tarin Kowt
from a Taliban attack. Next, the leaders marched on a campaign along the Arghandab River
, fighting the Taliban at Shawali Kowt
and Sayyd Alma Kalay
. Both were US-Afghan victories, eventually leading to the capture of Kandahar, an Islamic spiritual center. Shortly after Karzai was elected to be interim leader of Afghanistan, Amerine was hit by friendly fire
from a bomber. He lost three of his friends in the explosion, and learned three days later (in a hospital in Germany
) that Kandahar had finally fallen to end the war. After recovering, he completed a master's degree in international affairs with an emphasis in national security at the George Bush School of Government and Public Service at Texas A&M University
then taught at West Point.
and the Purple Heart
for his actions in Afghanistan. According to his citation: "His actions in the face of overwhelming odds and direct hostile aggression resulted in the surrender of Kandahar by Taliban forces... and directly contributed to his unit's and his country's success". Lieutenant General Paul T. Mikolashek, who oversaw the land war in Afghanistan, praised his exceptional courage, dedication to mission, and selfless commitment to his comrades. He was a guest at President George W. Bush
's State of the Union address
, where he said "Serving as an officer in the United States Army
has been the greatest privilege in my life. In Afghanistan, I commanded American and Afghan soldiers, each fighting for his own nation and his people, yet united in a common cause as they entrusted one another with their lives. There is no greater courage than for people to fight side by side against the terrible odds they faced with such impenetrable faith in one another". Lieutenant Colonel Amerine's story and the story of his eleven man A-Team of Green Berets is told in the New York Times and Wall Street Journal bestselling book The Only Thing Worth Dying For by Eric Blehm.
Lieutenant colonel
Lieutenant colonel is a rank of commissioned officer in the armies and most marine forces and some air forces of the world, typically ranking above a major and below a colonel. The rank of lieutenant colonel is often shortened to simply "colonel" in conversation and in unofficial correspondence...
in the United States Army Special Forces. He served in the Invasion of Afghanistan in 2001, in which he aided tribal leader Hamid Karzai
Hamid Karzai
Hamid Karzai, GCMG is the 12th and current President of Afghanistan, taking office on 7 December 2004. He became a dominant political figure after the removal of the Taliban regime in late 2001...
in fighting a guerilla war against the Taliban. For bravery in the invasion, he was awarded the Bronze Star Medal
Bronze Star Medal
The Bronze Star Medal is a United States Armed Forces individual military decoration that may be awarded for bravery, acts of merit, or meritorious service. As a medal it is awarded for merit, and with the "V" for valor device it is awarded for heroism. It is the fourth-highest combat award of the...
and the Purple Heart
Purple Heart
The Purple Heart is a United States military decoration awarded in the name of the President to those who have been wounded or killed while serving on or after April 5, 1917 with the U.S. military. The National Purple Heart Hall of Honor is located in New Windsor, New York...
. He was also a "Real Hero" in the America's Army
America's Army
America's Army is a series of video games and other media developed by the United States Army and released as a global public relations initiative to help with recruitment. America's Army was conceived by Colonel Casey Wardynski and is managed by the U.S...
video game.
Military career
After graduating from West Point, Amerine volunteered for Ranger duty and then for Special Forces Assessment and Selection (SFAS) and thereafter headed up Texas 12, the codename for Operational Detachment Alpha 574Operational Detachment Alpha 574
Operational Detachment Alpha 574 is a part of the United States Army's Third Battalion, 5th Special Forces Group. Its goal was to set the condition for a democratic government in Afghanistan to replace the insurgent Taliban rulers...
of the Army's 3rd Battalion, 5th Special Forces Group. When training Kazakh paratroops in Kazakhstan
Kazakhstan
Kazakhstan , officially the Republic of Kazakhstan, is a transcontinental country in Central Asia and Eastern Europe. Ranked as the ninth largest country in the world, it is also the world's largest landlocked country; its territory of is greater than Western Europe...
, he received news of the September 11 attacks. He was assigned to help Afghan
Afghanistan
Afghanistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, is a landlocked country located in the centre of Asia, forming South Asia, Central Asia and the Middle East. With a population of about 29 million, it has an area of , making it the 42nd most populous and 41st largest nation in the world...
freedom fighters overthrow the Taliban rule in Afghanistan
Afghanistan
Afghanistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, is a landlocked country located in the centre of Asia, forming South Asia, Central Asia and the Middle East. With a population of about 29 million, it has an area of , making it the 42nd most populous and 41st largest nation in the world...
. He joined forces with local tribal leader Hamid Karzai
Hamid Karzai
Hamid Karzai, GCMG is the 12th and current President of Afghanistan, taking office on 7 December 2004. He became a dominant political figure after the removal of the Taliban regime in late 2001...
, who assisted the US
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
invasion via his own guerrilla war. In Uruzgan, Amerine with his Americans and Karzai with his freedom fighters both defended the town of Tarin Kowt
Battle of Tarin Kowt
The Battle of Tarin Kowt took place in 2001 during the War in Afghanistan. In Early November, Hamid Karzai had entered Taliban-controlled eastern Afghanistan with a small force of guerrillas, accompanied by American special forces soldiers. In response to the approach of Karzai's force, the...
from a Taliban attack. Next, the leaders marched on a campaign along the Arghandab River
Arghandab River
Arghandab is a river in Afghanistan, about in length. It rises in the Hazarajat country north-west of Ghazni, and flows south-west falls into the Helmand below Girishk. In its lower course it is much used for irrigation, and the valley is cultivated and populous; yet the water is said to be...
, fighting the Taliban at Shawali Kowt
Battle of Shawali Kowt
The Battle of Shawali Kowt took place near the Arghandab River in Afghanistan during the Invasion of Afghanistan. On December 2, 2001, after a pitched street-by-street battle, the Green Berets and Afghan Freedom Fighters captured the town of Shawali Kowt, but could not gain control over a vital...
and Sayyd Alma Kalay
Battle of Sayyd Alma Kalay
The Battle of Sayyd Alma Kalay was a battle set near the Arghandab River in Afghanistan in the War on Terror. The US and Afghans won against the Taliban insurgents and invaded Kandahar, a vital Taliban spiritual center.- Battle :...
. Both were US-Afghan victories, eventually leading to the capture of Kandahar, an Islamic spiritual center. Shortly after Karzai was elected to be interim leader of Afghanistan, Amerine was hit by friendly fire
2001 Sayyd Alma Kalay airstrike
The Sayyd Alma Kalayy airstrike was a major friendly fire incident via airstrike during the Invasion of Afghanistan. It happened on December 5, 2001 when a U.S...
from a bomber. He lost three of his friends in the explosion, and learned three days later (in a hospital in Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
) that Kandahar had finally fallen to end the war. After recovering, he completed a master's degree in international affairs with an emphasis in national security at the George Bush School of Government and Public Service at Texas A&M University
Texas A&M University
Texas A&M University is a coeducational public research university located in College Station, Texas . It is the flagship institution of the Texas A&M University System. The sixth-largest university in the United States, A&M's enrollment for Fall 2011 was over 50,000 for the first time in school...
then taught at West Point.
Awards
On January 15, 2002, Jason Amerine was awarded the Bronze Star with ValorBronze Star Medal
The Bronze Star Medal is a United States Armed Forces individual military decoration that may be awarded for bravery, acts of merit, or meritorious service. As a medal it is awarded for merit, and with the "V" for valor device it is awarded for heroism. It is the fourth-highest combat award of the...
and the Purple Heart
Purple Heart
The Purple Heart is a United States military decoration awarded in the name of the President to those who have been wounded or killed while serving on or after April 5, 1917 with the U.S. military. The National Purple Heart Hall of Honor is located in New Windsor, New York...
for his actions in Afghanistan. According to his citation: "His actions in the face of overwhelming odds and direct hostile aggression resulted in the surrender of Kandahar by Taliban forces... and directly contributed to his unit's and his country's success". Lieutenant General Paul T. Mikolashek, who oversaw the land war in Afghanistan, praised his exceptional courage, dedication to mission, and selfless commitment to his comrades. He was a guest at President George W. Bush
George W. Bush
George Walker Bush is an American politician who served as the 43rd President of the United States, from 2001 to 2009. Before that, he was the 46th Governor of Texas, having served from 1995 to 2000....
's State of the Union address
State of the Union Address
The State of the Union is an annual address presented by the President of the United States to the United States Congress. The address not only reports on the condition of the nation but also allows the president to outline his legislative agenda and his national priorities.The practice arises...
, where he said "Serving as an officer in the United States Army
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
has been the greatest privilege in my life. In Afghanistan, I commanded American and Afghan soldiers, each fighting for his own nation and his people, yet united in a common cause as they entrusted one another with their lives. There is no greater courage than for people to fight side by side against the terrible odds they faced with such impenetrable faith in one another". Lieutenant Colonel Amerine's story and the story of his eleven man A-Team of Green Berets is told in the New York Times and Wall Street Journal bestselling book The Only Thing Worth Dying For by Eric Blehm.
External links
- Book that tells the story of LTC Amerine's mission in Afghanistan
- Interview August 28, 2007 Army Special Forces Maj. Jason Amerine WDAY 970 AM
- Interview August 29, 2007 Army Special Forces Maj. Jason Amerine CBC
- Team Tells Students of Special Forces Role in Afghan War
- CRITICAL CHALLENGES CONFRONTING NATIONAL SECURITY (including testimony by CPT Jason L Aldine)
- STATEMENT OF U.S. SENATOR DANIEL K. AKAKA ON THE 2002 STATE OF THE UNION ADDRESS
- CAMPAIGN AGAINST TERROR–Interview: U.S. Army Captain Jason Amerine