Jordan Logan Bear, Ponca soldier, killed on duty in Afghanistan

Tuesday, March 6, 2012  

Jordan Logan Bear, a member of Ponca Tribe of Nebraska, was killed on duty in Afghanistan on March 1.

Bear, 25, was a staff sergeant in the U.S. Army. He was killed amid Afghan outrage over the burning of the Islamic holy book, the Koran, by other U.S. soldiers.

Bear's family has a long military tradition. His grandfather, two of his grandfather's brothers, his uncle and his great-grandfather all served in the Army.

"Being in the military is not a joy ride,” Logan Bear, Jordan's grandfather, told Indian Country Today. “But if you’re going to go, enlist in an elite unit. The training is hard, but you’ll come out the best.”

Bear will be buried at Fort Logan National Cemetery in Colorado.

Get the Story:
Native Soldier Killed in Koran Burning Retaliation (Indian Country Today 3/6)

An Opinion:
Tina Griego: Pride amid the pain (The Denver Post 3/4)