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Name: Jason R. Workman
Branch: USN
Unit: Naval Special Warfare Development Group (SEAL Team 6)
Station Assigned: East Coast-based SEAL Team
Hometown: Blanding, Utah
Family: Survived by wife Stacey; son Jax; parents Rodney and Betty Workman; brothers
Fallen on: August 6, 2011
Jason Ray Workman, a name etched in the annals of Navy SEAL history, represents the epitome of courage, determination, and selfless service. Born on August 12, 1978, in Montrose County, Colorado, and raised in the small town of Blanding, Utah, Jason's journey led him to become a Special Warfare Operator Petty Officer 1st Class (SEAL) in the U.S. Navy's most elite special operations unit.
Jason's path to becoming a Navy SEAL began when he was just 14 years old. When his older brother graduated from West Point, Jason became determined that he was going to become a Navy SEAL. The September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks only strengthened his resolve to serve his country.
He entered Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL (BUD/S) training in Coronado, California, on January 24, 2004. After six months of the most grueling and demanding training in the military, he graduated with BUD/S Class 250 in March 2005. Jason was assigned to SEAL Team 2 in Virginia Beach, Virginia, before being selected for Naval Special Warfare Development Group (NSWDG)—SEAL Team 6. Nine months after beginning his training process, Chief Workman was selected to be a Naval Special Warfare Development Group operator.
Despite his elite status and demanding deployment schedule, Jason never forgot his roots in Blanding. During his visits home, he led training sessions with local law enforcement, sharing his military skills with the community that raised him. He told local officials he wanted to bring his family back to southern Utah after his military career to serve in law enforcement.
On August 6, 2011, Jason's life was tragically cut short when the CH-47 Chinook helicopter he was aboard, callsign Extortion 17, was shot down by insurgents in Wardak Province, Afghanistan. Jason was part of a Quick Reaction Force responding to assist U.S. Army Rangers who were engaged in a firefight with Taliban forces. When insurgents shot down the helicopter with a rocket-propelled grenade, all 38 aboard were killed instantly, including 17 members of SEAL Team 6. This devastating attack marked the greatest single loss of life to Naval Special Warfare since the Afghan War began.
Jason was survived by his wife, Stacey, and son, Jax. He was buried with full military honors at Arlington National Cemetery, joining the ranks of America's honored dead in our nation's most hallowed ground.
"Jason was a man who loved life and was a friend to everyone he met. People remember him for his big smile and that he always stood up for the underdog or came to the aid of anyone who needed his help," noted those who knew him. The Workman family stated: "Jason had been in the service for almost 8 years. He loved his job and was great at it. Jason was the Best of the Best."
Today, Jason's memory lives on through the annual Jason R. Workman Memorial Ride held in Blanding, Utah, honoring all those who have sacrificed and given their lives for freedom. Special Warfare Operator Petty Officer 1st Class Jason Ray Workman's life was tragically cut short, but his memory serves as an inspiration. He is remembered as a hero who gave his all for his country, a testament to the bravery and selflessness of those who serve in the U.S. Navy SEALs.
To learn more about Jason R. Workman and other fallen heroes, please visit:
- Navy SEAL Museum: https://www.navysealmuseum.org/memorial-wall/global-war-on-terror/jason-ray-workman
- Travis Manion Foundation: https://www.travismanion.org/fallen-heroes/soc-seal-jason-workman-usn/
On behalf of myself and everyone at Bonefrog Coffee, I want to express our deepest condolences to the family of Jason R. Workman who gave his life for our country. Words cannot capture the weight of this loss or the gratitude we feel for his courage and sacrifice. He was more than a warrior—he was a brother, a patriot, and a man whose dedication to protecting our freedom will forever inspire us. His sacrifice will never be forgotten, and his memory will live on in our hearts and in the values we strive to uphold. To his family, we share in your grief and stand with you, honoring his legacy with unwavering respect and gratitude.
Long Live The Brotherhood!
Tim Cruickshank LCDR, USN (SEAL) Ret. and the Bonefrog Coffee Team