Navy Lt. Cmdr. (SEAL) Jonas B. Kelsall

Remember Our Heroes

Navy Lt. Cmdr. (SEAL) Jonas B. Kelsall, 32, of Shreveport, La.

Navy Lt. Cmdr. (SEAL) Jonas B. Kelsall was assigned to an East Coast-based SEAL team; died Aug. 6 in Wardak province, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when the CH-47 Chinook helicopter in which he was riding was shot down.

Lt. Cmdr. (SEAL) Jonas B. Kelsall, 32, of Shreveport, La., enlisted in September 1996, the Navy said.

Kelsall and Chief Petty Officer Robert James Reeves, also killed in the crash, were childhood friends in Shreveport, where they played soccer together and graduated from Caddo Magnet High School, Kelsall’s father, John, told The Times of Shreveport and KLSA-TV.

Both joined the military after graduation.

Kelsall, 33, was one of the first members of SEAL Team 7, his father said. The Navy said Kelsall reported to his East Coast-based SEAL team in May 2008.

He trained in San Diego and met his wife of three years, Victoria, when he was attending the University of Texas out of Basic Underwater Demolition training, his father said.

Kelsall’s decorations include the Legion of Merit; two Bronze Stars with Combat ‘V’ device for valor; Joint Service Commendation Medal with Combat ‘V’ device for valor; three Navy/Marine Corps Commendation Medals; Joint Service Achievement Medal; Presidential Unit Citation; Combat Action Ribbon; Navy Unit Commendation; National Defense Service Medal; Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal; Sea Service Deployment Ribbon; Rifle Marksmanship Medal and Pistol Marksmanship Medal.

Lt. Cmdr. Jonas B. Kelsall, 32, enlisted at 17 and quickly became a member of the elite special force,

His mother, Teri Kelsall, tells the paper her family is staying strong for their son, who loved his country endlessly: "He told us once, 'If I die on a mission, I'll die happy because I'm doing something for my country.'"

Kelsall's best friend since ninth grade, Robert James Reeves, also died in the Aug. 6 crash.

August 20, 2011
God bless you at this time. As the grandmother of Pfc. John Corey Johnson who was killed in Afghanistan on May 27, I mourn with you for these fallen heroes.~Nancy Johnson, Boise, Idaho

August 16, 2011
Such a great man, such a great loss. What an inspiration his contribution to this world is. Jonas Kelsall you are an Angel~Graham Johnson, Edmonton

August 13, 2011
I still remember Jonas as that little blond haired boy in grade school. My prayers go out to the Kelsall family.
He will always be a hero to me.~Lauren Jones, Shreveport, Louisiana

August 13, 2011
Jonas was an inspiration to my son. Please Lord send Your Grace to comfort the entire Kelsall family and friends.~Dominic & Michael Case, Chattaroy, Washington

Navy Lt. Cmdr. (SEAL) Jonas B. Kelsall was killed in action on 8/6/11.