Your Post is named after Jonathan D. Rozier.
1LT. Jonathan D. Rozier
It is therefore fitting that you meet Jonathan Rozier and get to know the Katy resident who served his country with honor and distinction in the Global War on Terrorism.
Jonathan David Rozier was born on July 16, 1978 in Dallas, Texas to David and Barbara Rozier. At age 13, the family moved to Katy Texas. His parents decided Jonathan would be ‘home schooled’. Upon completion of his high school studies, Jonathan enrolled in Texas A&M University. Jonathan always felt a calling to military service and to that end, joined the Texas A&M Corp of Cadets. Jonathan, a five year senior graduated from Texas A&M University with a Bachelor of Science in Economics on December 15, 2001. Also on December 15th, the afternoon after graduation, Jonathan took his oath and was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the United States Army. Wasting little time during his busy month of December, on the 16th he and his fiancee were on their way to Louisiana and on the 18th he married his fiancée, Jessica Desiree O’Rourke of New Orleans, Louisiana. 10 months later, the couple’s son, Justin David Rozier was born at Fort Riley, Kansas.
Jonathan soon began his training on the M1A2 Abrams main battle tank. Upon completion, Jonathan was assigned to the 1st Armored Division and demonstating the characteristics for leadership was made a platoon leader. Later, Jonathan was given his orders to Iraq. There, he was assigned to the 2nd Platoon, Bravo Company, 2nd Battalion, 70th Armored Regiment. While in command of 2nd Platoon, Bravo Company and assigned to the 101st Airborne Division, Jonathan earned the Bronze Star for Valor. 2nd Lieutenant Rozier continued to serve with distinction and was promoted to 1st Lieutenant. His honorable service came to an end at the hands of the enemy in Iraq on July 19, 2003, three days after his 25th birthday. At the time of his death, 1LT. Rozier had earned the Bronze Star with “V”, Purple Heart (posthumously), Meritorious Service Medal (posthumously) and received the National Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, the Army Service Ribbon and the Combat Action Badge (posthumously). He was also authorized the Presidential Unit Citation and Army Meritorious Unit Citation. At the time Lt. Rozier earned the Bronze Star, over 4,000 Bronze Stars had been awarded but only 15 were for Valor.
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The Battle of South Al Hillah and the Bronze Star.
When 2nd Lieutenant Jonathan Rozier entered the village of Al Hillah in central Iraq, he did not know what waited for him and his tank platoon. The following is the narrative;
2nd LT Rozier, Jonathan D. B Co. 2-70th AR (BSM V) Narrative: On 31 March 2003, 2LT Rozier led his platoon in the Battle of South Al Hillah. He skillfully maneuvered his platoon through the streets during the 12.5 hour battle as intense small arms, RPG and indirect fire ricocheted off his tanks. He returned fire with lethal results. Due to the lack of trucks, 2LT Rozier’s platoon was carrying a platoon of infantry from C/1-502 IN on his tanks. When the lead platoon from the company came under fire, 2LT Rozier quickly dismounted the infantry from his tanks. The infantry platoon was pinned down almost immediately due to the continuous fire. 2LT Rozier with little regard for his own safety ordered his tanks to move in between the enemy positions and the pinned infantry. Despite taking several direct RPG hits to his tank, 2LT Rozier destroyed the enemy positions with textbook fire and maneuver, thereby allowing the infantry to move to more advantageous positions from which they were able to continue the fight. Because of the lethal direct and indirect fires brought to bear on the enemy by 2LT Rozier and his Platoon, he was a primary factor in TF 2-70’s destruction of over a battalion of the Nebacanezzer Republican Guard. Additionally, his fires were so effective, an additional brigade of the Republican Guard was held in defensive positions north of Al Hillah. This prevented them from being moved to a position were they could affect the Corps main effort, 3ID’s attack in the vicinity of Karbala.
LT. Jonathan D. Rozier receives the Bronze Star for Valor from General David Petraeus
His Citation reads: For heroism in connection with military operations against a hostile force in Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. 2LT Rozier distinguished himself while serving as the 2nd Platoon Leader of Company B, 2nd Battalion, 70th Armor during their attack into southern Al Hillah, Iraq. 2LT Rozier’s personal bravery and courage under fire are in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself, the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) and the United States Army.