Private First Class Jaysine Pilar Sucgang Petree, was born January 1st, 1991, in the Philippines. Her grandparents moved the family to Guam and obtained American citizenship in order to secure a freer life for the family. She attended Simon Sanchez High School, where she was a member of the school’s wrestling team, and graduated in 2009.
While in high school Private First Class Petree did not participate in the Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps, but Captain Ignus Susiuco, the senior instructor of the JROTC at Simon Sanchez High School, said that Private First Class Petree always showed an interest in the military. Captain Susiuco said, “She’s a very short, petite young lady, but she had a big heart and a very strong and driven desire to succeed.” She asked him about his experiences in service and what it was like to be in the military. Driven by a desire to advance her future while serving her country and paying forward the freedom she enjoyed as an American citizen, Private First Class Petree joined the Army immediately following graduation.
Private First Class Petree was assigned to the 17th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, 3rd Maneuver Enhancement Brigade, U.S. Army, Fort Richardson, Alaska. She was deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. On September 24th, 2010, Private First Class Petree was traveling in her Humvee between Ghanzi and Bagram Airfield when the vehicle was struck by an improvised explosive device. Private First Class Petree and Private First Class William B. Dawson were both killed in the explosion. Petree was 19 and had planned to marry her boyfriend the following year.
Private First Class Petree was loved and respected by all for her determination and sense of humor. Tamika Dillard, U.S. Army (Ret.) wrote of her:
“Your mom – she explained that you would give your heart to being a Soldier to this country. She said you have set an example for your brothers, and she feels that you are still doing the same.
Your fellow Soldiers say that you were a great Soldier and constant comedian who would come up with hysterical imitations of your friends and superiors, and it seemed as though the first person to laugh was always [you].
Pfc. Petree, you had a way of doing things that would brighten up anyone’s day. Do you remember this silly joke: What makes fluff pink? Pink fluff. Although it was corny, we all still laughed.”
Private First Class Olson, the best friend of Private First Class Petree, said of her, “When we boarded the C17 flight into Afghanistan in July 2010, we talked about going to a war in a country we don’t understand; against an enemy we can’t see; and for a cause we can’t fully grasp … Petree was scared to go here but she was ready. She was the most caring, welcoming and loving person I’ve ever met.”
Private First Class Petree was awarded six medals, including a Bronze Star and a Purple Heart. She is buried at Guam Veterans Cemetery in Piti, Guam.
Sources:
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/59270533/jaysine_pilar_sucgang-petree
https://thefallen.militarytimes.com/army-pfc-jaysine-s-petree/4789610
https://www.kuam.com/story/13220888/island-mourns-loss-of-teen-female-soldier
https://www.kuam.com/story/13220888/island-mourns-loss-of-teen-female-soldier
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