PETO, JASON

Jason D. Peto 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 enlisted in the Marine Corps in 2004 and 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 and sent to Germany, and then home after 4 months of deployment. He proudly received the Purple Heart Medal. Sgt. Peto served another 7-month deployment in 2007 to Ramadi, Iraq with 3/7 India Co.  

Sgt Peto reenlisted while in Iraq and went on to serve as a 1st Marine Division MOUT instructor on urban combat. Sgt. Peto was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force and volunteered for a third deployment to Sangin, Afghanistan September 2010. Sgt Peto was severely injured on November 24, 2010, while on a mission and was flown to Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany and then to Bethesda Naval Hospital where he succumb to his injuries on 07 December 2010.  

Sgt Peto awards include the Purple Heart (Gold Star in lieu of second award), 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,, Unit Certificate of Commendation, Armed Forces Reserve Medal, SMCR Medal, Navy Achievement Medal, awarded the Gold star in Lieu of a second Purple Heart.  

The Washington State Fallen Heroes Project proudly remembers Sgt Jason D. Peto for his service, sacrifice, and commitment to our nation. His life continues to inspire all who learn his story.