LCpl Jason N. Barfield, 22, of Ashford, Ala., died Oct. 24 while conducting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan.  He was assigned to 3rd Combat Engineer Battalion, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, based at Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, Calif.

LCpl Barfield is remembered as a man with a positive attitude and infectious smile.

Shirley Cobb, Barfield’s aunt, reportedly told the Dothan Eagle while on a surprise visit home over Christmas last year, he talked about his life as a Marine and about his duty to his country.

“He said, ‘This is my job, I’ve got to go do my job. I hate that it’s in Afghanistan, but that’s my job,’” she said. “You know these boys go over there and fight, and he knew it was taking a chance. He said that the last time he was here. It’s just a terrible feeling for (us).”

The newspaper article linked to footage of Barfield returning home to surprise his family last December. Read the story and watch the video here.

Facebook page created in his honor

LCpl Barfield is the 1,821^st American killed in Afghanistan