Rolling Honor

First Lieutenant Jacob Noal Fritz was born on September 28, 1981, in Falls City, Nebraska. He was commissioned on May 28, 2005, upon graduation from the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York with a Bachelor of Science in Systems Engineering

Upon completion of the Field Artillery Officer's Basic Course he was assigned to 4th BCT (ABN), 25th ID at Fort Richardson, Alaska. On March 1, 2006, he was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 377th Parachute Field Artillery Regiment where he served as Assistant Battalion Fire Direction Officer and later as a Platoon Leader for 2nd Platoon, A Battery.

He participated in several training exercises with the battalion and participated in the Joint Readiness Training Center Exercise 06-09 and then deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom 06-07. While deployed with the 2nd Battalion, 377th Parachute Field Artillery Regiment he was under the tactical control of the 1st Battalion, 501st Parachute Infantry Regiment, where he participated in numerous combat operations and patrols in North Babil and the Karbala Province. 1LT Fritz was killed in action during combat operations in the Karbala Province on January 20, 2007.

1LT Fritz's awards and decorations include the National Defense Service Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Army Service Ribbon, the Iraqi Campaign Medal, the Overseas Service Ribbon, the Parachutist Badge, and the Air Assault Badge. He earned and was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star Medal, the Purple Heart, the Prisoner of War Medal, and the Combat Action Badge.

1LT Fritz is survived by his father, Lyle and mother, Noala and younger brothers Dan and Ethan.