173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team Public Affairs

Story by Staff Sgt. Brandon Aird

By Staff Sgt. Brandon Aird
173rd Airborne Brigade Public Affairs

NURISTAN PROVINCE, Afghanistan – Soldiers from Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment, renamed their combat outpost, located in a remote area of Nuristan province, Afghanistan, to remember a fallen comrade on May 12.

Combat Outpost Kamu was renamed to Combat Outpost Lowell to remember Spc. Jacob Lowell, who was killed in action June 2, 2007.

Lowell was manning a 50-caliber machine gun on a reconnaissance mission in the Gowardesh Valley when he was killed while engaging insurgents who ambushed his convoy.

"Lowell was a heroic paratrooper that did his duty all the way up until the end," said Capt. John Page, Bravo Company commander. "His actions saved my life and others in his platoon. If Lowell had not gotten back up on his 50 Cal., even though he was shot in the leg, I probably would not be here today."

Page and Lt. Col. Christopher Kolenda, 1st Squadron, 91st Cavalry Regiment commander, dedicated a large plaque on COP Lowell during the ceremony so future Soldiers will remember his sacrifice.

Lowell was awarded the Bronze Star with "V" for valor and the Combat Infantryman's Badge for his actions during the firefight. Lowell was from New Lenox, Ill., and is survived by his parents Raymond and Bernadine Lowell.

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