Jesse Balthaser

Jesse and his Beloved

Marine Sgt. Jesse Balthaser, age 23, of Columbus, Ohio, has been killed in Afghanistan during a combat operation in Helmand province. He stepped on a roadside bomb. 

Jesse was a combat engineer assigned to the 3rd Combat Engineer Battalion, 1st Marine Division, 1st Marine Expeditionary Force, at the Air-Ground Combat Center at Twentynine Palms. He enlisted in the Marine Corps in 2005 and had deployed twice to Iraq.

His partner is expecting the couple's first child, in December. Jesse Balthaser was slated to finish his deployment in November.

Let us pray to God the Father, Jesus, all of the saints and all of the angels that Jesse Balthaser is in heaven. Let us pray that he is at peace and is with God. Amen