George Bannar Jr. - U.S. Military

Master Sgt. George A. Bannar Jr., age 37, of Orange, Virginia, died on August 20, 2013, of injuries sustained when enemy forces attacked his unit with small arms fire in Wardak Province, Afghanistan.

He was assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 3rd Special Forces Group, Fort Bragg, North Carolina.

This was his fifth deployment to Afghanistan.

George graduated from Orange County High School in 1993. He earned an Associate's Degree from Fayetteville Technical Community College in 2004 and later a Bachelor's Degree from Campbell University.

George enlisted as a medical specialist in the U.S. Army in October of 1996, completing his medical training at Fort Sam Houston, Texas, and then attending the U.S. Army Airborne School at Fort Benning, Georgia. 

During his military career he had received numerous awards and decorations.  He was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart and Bronze Star.

Friends describe him as a jokester and a military enthusiast who always had a smile

Angels of God, pray for George

on his face. He got along well with everyone. He would give you the shirt off his back. He liked excitement and was a master parachutist.

Friends stated that he died doing what he loved to do. He had about two years left before he could retire from the military.

George is survived by many loving friends and relatives including his mother and father; and his wife.

Thank you for serving, George.

Pray without ceasing unto God for an end to this war in Afghanistan. It is enough. We are sick with grief for men like George.

Pray that George is in heaven. Pray that he is at peace and is with God. Amen.