Pfc. Jason D. Fingar loved music. Something as simple as the theme song to his favorite show, “Smallville,” could bring out his trademark smile and positivity, and his love of the guitar was well-known.
Along with his guitar, friends said he played just about every instrument; he once stuck a mouthpiece in a decorative horn and used it to play taps.
But during a memorial service held at Joint Base Lewis-McChord Wednesday, Taps was played for Fingar, who died May 22 in Durai, Afghanistan.
The 24-year-old soldier was killed when his Stryker vehicle struck an improvised bomb, according to the Department of Defense.
A Columbia, Mo., native, Fingar enlisted in August 2008 and trained to be a driver. He was assigned to Lewis-McChord in February 2009 and deployed last summer to Afghanistan with the 5th Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division.
Friends and comrades at Wednesday’s memorial remembered Fingar as a comedian, someone whose “happy-go-lucky” demeanor helped boost morale.
In a statement read aloud by another officer, Lt. Col. Burton Shields called Fingar “the kind of soldier any platoon would want.” He never complained or showed signs of fatigue, instead completing every mission with a smile, wrote Shields, who’s still in Afghanistan leading his battalion.
“If he was not enjoying life, he did a good job hiding it,” Shields wrote, quoting Fingar’s company commander.
True to form, Fingar had been asked to drive the lead vehicle on his last mission, a dangerous task he accepted without complaint, Shields wrote, adding that Fingar had a “servant’s heart.”
Much of Fingar’s positive attitude came from his strong faith. A devout Christian, Fingar often led his platoon in prayer and frequently discussed the Bible with his company commander.
But Fingar was also quick to lighten the mood for his comrades. He made sure there was always Mountain Dew and Dr Pepper, and a water heater for ramen noodles, Pfc. Federico Agunaga said during the ceremony.
On missions, Fingar would often sing the praises of his native Missouri – and when his comrades dismissed him, a quick reminder that Jesse James hailed from Missouri was often enough to silence the doubters, Agunaga said.
“He’s probably up there playing the guitar, leading the band, looking sexy, oozing awesome,” Agunaga said.
Fingar is survived by his parents, David and Rhonda Fingar, a sister and two brothers, including one service member, Sgt. Donald Fingar.
He is one of 36 soldiers from 5th Brigade to die in Afghanistan, mostly from enemy bombings.
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