John Loftis

Lt. Col. John D. Loftis, age 44, of Paducah, Kentucky, died on February 25, 2012, from wounds received during an attack at the Interior Ministry, Kabul, Afghanistan. 

He was assigned to the 866th Air Expeditionary Squadron, Kabul, Afghanistan. 

John was shot during riots in Afghanistan against Qur'an burnings by Nato personnel earlier in the month. 

John worked in the Afghan Ministry of the Interior with the AfPak Hands program as the chief plans advisor.
He was a space and missile officer who became a regional affairs strategist in 2008. He entered the Air Force in 1996, receiving his commission through Officer Training School. Prior to deploying in March 2011, he had been assigned to the U.S. Air Force Special Operations School, Air Force Special Operations Training Center, Hurlburt Field, Florida. 

Saint Maximilian Kolbe,
pray for John

His awards and decorations include the Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal and Army Achievement Medal. 

Military officials stated that John's ability to engage with the Afghans in their own language (Pashto) and earn their trust was a valuable weapon in the counterinsurgency fight. 

Family members describe John as a great American, devoted father and loving husband.

John is survived by many loving friends and relatives including his wife, Holly and his two daughters. 

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