Export Army sergeant dies after being injured in Afghanistan

Jason Mitchell McClary was determined to join the U.S. Army.

The 24-year-old Export-area native wanted to dedicate his life to his country. He succeeded in that goal when he enlisted in January 2014.

“It was in his blood to be a soldier,” said his aunt Linda Collins of Salem Township. “He wanted to be a true American and fight for his country.”

McClary, a sergeant, died Sunday at a base in Germany from injuries he suffered five days earlier in a blast in Afghanistan, according to the U.S. Department of Defense. He was the fourth U.S. service member working in support of Operation Freedom’s Sentinel to die after an improvised explosive device detonated Nov. 27.

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

A gunner is the soldier who mans a dedicated gun position on a military vehicle.

McClary graduated from Kiski Area High School and Northern Westmoreland Career & Technology Center in New Kensington in 2013. Center business industry liaison Jill Awes said McClary was a driven student who took machining classes and worked during his senior year at an Export company.

But the Army was foremost on his mind, Awes said.

“He was diligent about that,” she said. “He was going to get in there any way he could.”

Westmoreland County records show he married Lillie Ashbaugh, also a 2013 Kiski graduate, in November that same year. The couple has two young sons.

He enlisted two months later, according to military records. In 2016, he was deployed to Iraq for seven months. McClary had been in Afghanistan since April. He had several military medals, including two Purple Hearts.

He was based out of Fort Carson, Colo., where he was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 38th Infantry Regiment, 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division.

“All his life, that’s all he ever talked about was joining the Army,” Collins said.

McClary was a “happy-go-lucky,” intelligent person who had a deep faith and loved to spend time with his young family, she said. He liked being part of a military family, too.

“He loved it, he loved every minute of it,” Collins said. “There was nothing that was going to stand in his way.”

Family friend Debbie Consonery remembered a time when McClary helped her move into a new home. She visited Collins on Monday and the pair shared stories about him.

“How more dedicated could he be?” Consonery said.

Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf ordered flags at the Capitol Complex and other state facilities fly at half-staff in honor of McClary. The flags will remain in that position until sunset on the date of his interment.

“Sgt. McClary gave the ultimate sacrifice on behalf of his country and, for that, we will be forever grateful,” Wolf said.

McClary is the second local soldier to be killed by the Nov. 27 roadside bomb in Ghazni province, an area where the Taliban is resurgent. The body of Air Force Staff Sgt. Dylan Elchin, 25, of Hookstown, Beaver County, returned to the United States on Friday.

It was the deadliest attack against U.S. forces in Afghanistan this year, the Associated Press reported. The Taliban claimed responsibility.

The Associated Press contributed. Renatta Signorini is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Renatta at 724-837-5374, rsignorini@tribweb.com or via Twitter @byrenatta.