Bruce J. Hebert
December 11, 2006
Houma man leads police on chase
December 13, 2006
A 26-year-old soldier was killed while on a mission in Iraq, family members have confirmed.
The family of Sgt. Jay Ryan Gauthreaux, a 1998 graduate of St. James High School, was notified Monday of his death by military officials, Michael Gauthreaux, the victim’s father, said Tuesday.
The U.S. Department of Defense reported Friday that Gauthreaux died Dec. 4 in Balad, Iraq, of injuries suffered in Baqubah, Iraq.
While patrolling the area with his unit, an improvised explosive device detonated near his vehicle, DoD officials said in a release issued early Friday.
Gauthreaux served as a gunner on a Humvee, according to DoD officials.
Military officials said he was assigned to the 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division in Fort Hood, Texas.
Michael Gauthreaux, of Gonzales, said a soldier and a military chaplain visited him Monday and told him that his son had been “on a mission,” at the time of his death.
It was nearly five days before the family learned more details of the fatal incident.
This most recent tour of duty in Iraq was Gauthreaux’s second foray to that country, said his sister, Monique Bergeron of Thibodaux.
Gauthreaux is survived by his 4-year-old son, Devin, the family said.
The Associated Press contributed to portions of this news article.
