Alaskan killed in Afghanistan
Originally published Sunday, October 12, 2008 at 1:12 p.m.
Updated Sunday, October 12, 2008 at 3:35 p.m.
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Stumble It!An Alaskan remembered by his family for his sharpshooting, his smile and his strength died Thursday while serving with Marines in Afghanistan.
Cpl. Jason Karella, 20, was eager as a teen to join the military and he was already on his way to boot camp when his 18th birthday arrived in late 2005, his father, Fairbanks contractor Kevin Karella, said Sunday.
“He absolutely believed in what he was doing,” Karella said of his son’s three years in the Marines, time that sent him on tours to Iraq and Afghanistan.
Karella was part of a battalion helping to train Afghan national security forces when he died in the country’s Farah province, military spokesman Lt. Curtis Williamson said.
While Karella’s unit — the California-based 2nd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division — is focused primarily on training Afghan forces, Williamson said the U.S. battalion is regularly in the thick of combat.
“They are right in there, hooking and jabbing and really heavily involved in the fighting in Afghanistan,” Williamson said.
Afghanistan’s Farah province is located on the country’s western border with Iran. Karella’s battalion, the only free-standing Marine battalion currently serving in Afghanistan, was part of a task force operating across a few of the country’s provinces at once, Williamson said.
Karella was born in Fairbanks, where much of his family lives. His family lived in Germany for four years before returning to Alaska 15 years ago, after which Karella split his teenage years between Interior and Southcentral Alaska, attending Bartlett High School in Anchorage, Kevin Karella said.
Photos sent home from Afghanistan show a beaming Karella speaking with an Afghan child. Kevin Karella said his son died behind a gun turret after volunteering to take the place of a fellow troop who hadn’t been feeling well.
Karella planned to leave the military in a year and marry his fiancee, and the couple hoped to live in Alaska. He was due for a visit home next month, his father said.
Despite what family members described as a “freakish” natural strength that seemed oversized even for Karella’s already-big frame — family photos show him carrying both his older and younger brothers on his shoulders at once — he leaned away from organized sports and toward hobbies that included fishing and marksmanship. His father said he’d shown interest in becoming a police officer when his military commitment ended.
Karella’s family is steeped in military tradition. His father is a former Army chief warrant officer, and older brother Josh Karella served in Iraq.
Josh Karella said Sunday that he tried to convince Jason, who the Marines had tried to recruit for specialized sniper training, to avoid the infantry if possible. But he said the younger Karella seemed drawn to the challenge and sense of camaraderie that comes with joining fellow troops on the ground.
In boot camp, Karella became a squad leader, his father said. In the Marines, he earned two promotions to move from private to full corporal.
“He had a way of making people follow his lead because of how he carried himself,” he said.
Williamson said 15 Marines from Karella’s battalion have been killed in Afghanistan, all this year. Overall, more than 130 U.S. troops have died in Afghanistan this year, as have 100 troops from NATO countries, the Associated Press reported Tuesday.
Community Discussion
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I'm so glad that the DNM finally got around to publishing this. Although, I think they didn't do Jason or his family justice by posting the DOD press release verbatim.
Jason lived in Fairbanks for part of his life, and was just days from coming home. His father still lives here and is a local business owner who is very involved with the community. He has multiple family members in Fairbanks including several aunts, uncles and cousins. It's hard to live in Fairbanks for any length of time and not know one of the Karellas.
I'm very sorry for the family's loss.
My heartfelt compassion goes out to the Karella family for their loss. As for Jason, thank you wholeheartedly for your sacrifice. I am sorry you had to give so much for our freedom and security but I am eternally grateful.
Another grateful citizen and old leatherneck would like to add his "Oooooooorraaaaaaaaah, Marine! You did not waiver, you did not turn away. You are a United States Marine and my nation loves you." To the family of Cpl. Karella, my words are inadequate. May I simply say "Thank you."
God Bless Cpl Karella.
Rest in Peace.
I served in the 2nd Ba, 1st Marines 1988-1994...
Semper Fidelis Corporal Karella...
My heartfelt sorrow to all his friends and Family. Thank you for your brave service to our country, May you Rest In Peace.
I am so sorry for you loss, especially of one so young. I pray that they all come home soon.
God Bless!
My heart goes out to Cpl.Karella's family. You will be in my prayers.
May his soul rest in peace and may his heart feel the love and thanks
we offer to him for the ultimate sacrifice he made to make our country a safer one.
I grew up wih some of the Karellas I am sorry for their loss.
Pat
Godbless. I'll pray for the family tonight. I'm free to write on this blog because of young men like this.
Semper Fidelis Jason.
Blessings to the family & extended family.
To all of Jason's friends and family- our thoughts are with you.
Peace be with you, Jason.
Thank you Jason, you have served us well, now rest in peace.
My deepest condolences to the Karella family
in their time of loss.
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