Soldier dies in Afghanistan

USASOC PAO

	Van Aalst

A Special Operations Soldier was killed Aug. 4, during combat operations in Konduz province, Afghanistan.

Master Sgt. Jared N. Van Aalst, 34, was assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company, U.S. Army Special Operations Command.

Van Aalst was born in Laconia, N.H. and graduated from Plymouth Regional High School in Plymouth, N.H., in 1993. Van Aalst enlisted in the U.S. Army as a signal support systems specialist on Aug. 17, 1995.  

Airborne and Ranger qualified, he served with the 75th Ranger Regiment at Fort Benning, Ga., as a signal support systems specialist, an infantryman, sniper team leader, and platoon sergeant.  He also served with the U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit there.

In July 2007, Van Aalst was assigned as the chief instructor and writer to Company. C, 2nd Battalion., 29th Infantry Division at Fort Benning. He was selected in 2008 as a special operations team member, U. S. Army Special Operations Command.

Van Aalst was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star Medal, the Purple Heart and the Defense Meritorious Service Medal.

Van Aalst is survived by his wife, Katie Van Aalst of Pinehurst, N.C., daughters Kaylie and Ava; and his parents, Neville and Nancy Van Aalst of Hawthorne, Fla.

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