Obituary of Sgt. Jason Peto

Sgt. Jason Darren Peto; 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force returned home on Tuesday, December 7, 2010 at the Bethesda Naval Hospital in Maryland after fighting bravely and honorably over in Afghanistan defending his Country and his Lord. Jason was severely injured on Nov. 24th while on a mission in Sangin. He was flown to Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany and then to Bethesda Naval Hospital in Maryland. Jason was born on January 28, 1979 in Montebello, California to Ernest and Janie Peto. The family moved to Vancouver, Washington in 1990 and Jason attended and graduated from Mountain View High School in Vancouver and was a member of the FFA. It was at Mountain View where he met his high school sweetheart and love of his life Tiffany Dillmon. They married on August 15, 2005. Jason entered the Marine corp. in 2004 and graduated boot camp at MCRD San Diego. Jason was stationed at 29 Palms, California from 2004-2008. He was deployed in 2005 to Ramadi, Iraq with the 3/7 India Co. Jason was gunner in a Humvee hit by an IED. Jason was injured and sent to Germany and then home after 4 months of deployment. He proudly received the Purple Heart Medal. Jason was deployed again in 2007 to Ramadi, Iraq with 3/7 India Co. he was deployed for 7 months. Jason reenlisted while in Iraq for another four years. Jason was stationed at Camp Pendleton, Ca. as a division school Mt. instructor urban combat. While stationed at Camp Pendleton, Jason resided in Mission Viejo in California. Jason was then sent to Quantico, Virginia for weapons Training, and Fort Huachuca in Arizona for weapons and explosive training. When Jason returned to Camp Pendleton he volunteered for deployment to, Afghanistan, he deployed to Sangin, Helmand Province with the 3/5 kilo Co. on Sept. 25, 2010. He was a member of the 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force when he sustained his injuries on November 24th in Sangin. Throughout Jason's valiant military career he had received numerous awards, medals, and accreditations. These included the Purple Heart, Combat Action Ribbon, Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Certificate of Commendation (Individual Award), Certificate of Commendation (Unit Award), Good Conduct Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal, SMCR Medal, Combat Marksmanship Training, Infantry Rifleman, Navy Achievement Medal, Operation Iraqi Freedom, and Operation Enduring Freedom for Afghanistan. Sgt. Peto was awarded the Gold star in Lieu of a second Purple Heart. Outside of his distinguished military career, Jason enjoyed hunting with his Dad, fishing with his Uncle, and Motorcycle riding. Jason was loved by so many, family, friends, and neighbors and has left a void that can never be replaced. Jason is survived by his wife Tiffany of Vancouver, and parents Ernest & Janie Peto of Vancouver, Washington. His father was also a Marine. He also leaves three brothers, two of whom were also Marines: Michael Peto of Chino, Ca., Garry Peto of Brush Prairie and Darin Peto of Vancouver; four nephews, five nieces; aunt and uncle Jimmy & Susie Yanez of Sunset Beach, Ca., Uncle Henry Wesselman of Brush Prairie, Washington; cousins Karrie, Chris, Jake, Tyler, Spencer Rea, and Logan, all of Huntington Beach Ca., cousins Michael and Brian Dillmon of Vancouver, Washington, and cousin Brian Moore of Independence, Missouri, and numerous friends. There will be a Funeral Mass for Jason on Saturday, December 18th at 12:30 pm at Holy Redeemer Catholic Church: 17010 NE 9th St.; Vancouver, WA 98684 (360.885.7780). Viewing will be held at Brown's Funeral Home: 410 NE Garfield St.; Camas, WA 98607 (360.834.3692) on Friday, December 17th from 12:00 pm to 5:00 pm. A graveside service with full military honors will be held on Thursday, December 23rd at Riverside National Cemetery: 22495 Van Buren Blvd; Riverside, CA 92518-2740 (951.653.8417). In lieu of flowers memorials in Jason's honor may be sent to Wounded Warrior Project: 7020 AC Skinner Pkwy, Suite 100; Jacksonville, FL 32256. Brown's Funeral Home and Cremation Services in Camas has been entrusted with arrangements.