Army Sgt. Jorge A. Scatliffe

Remember Our Heroes

Army Sgt. Jorge A. Scatliffe, 32, of St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands

Sgt Scatliffe was assigned to 27th Brigade Support Battalion, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, Fort Hood, Texas; died April 3, 2011 in Mosul, Iraq, as a result of a non-combat incident.

Scatliffe joined the Army in April 1998 as a Bradley Fighting Vehicle system maintainer. He deployed to support operations in Iraq previously from April 2003 to August 2004, December 2005 to December 2006, and from June 2008 to May 2009.

A highly decorated soldier, Scatliffe, left behind a tight-knit family strongly rooted in their Dominican heritage, the St. Croix community and the U.S. military.

Jorge Scatliffe's mother, Sarah Scatliffe, described her son as "a loving boy" who was loyal to his family and country and who was passionate about his work with the Army. "He always enjoy what he's doing for his country and protecting his mom - watching my back, he used to say,"

"I am proud of him. I am proud of my boy," she said

Sarah last saw her son, Jorge, in June, when she went to visit him in Texas,

While the news of her son's death has been hard on her, the community and family has filled her home to support her, she said. "I'm trying to be strong," she said. "I'm depending on the Lord for his grace."

On Tuesday, Jorge Scatliffe's older brother, retired U.S. Navy Lt. Robert Scatliffe, waited at Dover Air Force Base for his brother's body to arrive about 3 p.m., said Sarah Scatliffe.

Jorge Scatliffe was the middle of three boys - born between Robert Scatliffe and Raymond Scatliffe, who both joined the Navy. Their father, Gerome Scatliffe, died after an asthma attack led to cardiac arrest in 1985, and Sarah Scatliffe raised the boys in a close family. The brothers are "trying to hold up, but they are broken down," Sarah Scatliffe said.

Sarah Scatliffe said she did not know when Jorge's body would be returned to St. Croix or when funeral services would be held. The exact cause of death still is under investigation.

Jorge Scatliffe received many awards and decorations, including: two Army Commendation Medals, three Army Achievement Medals, four Army Good Conduct Medals,a National Defense Service Medal, an Iraqi Campaign Medal with campaign stars, a Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, a Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Overseas Service Ribbons, an Army Service Ribbon, a Driver and Mechanic Badge for Mechanics, a Driver and Mechanic Badge for Wheel Vehicle Drivers and a Driver and Mechanic Badge for Tracked Vehicle Drivers.

He is survived by his mother, Sarah, brothers Robert and Raymond.

Army Sgt. Jorge A. Scatliffe was killed in non-combat incident on 4/3/11.