Soldier recalled as pro, patriot

PITTSTON – Friends of Jeffrey F. DePrimo of Pittston, who was killed Tuesday morning in Afghanistan, recalled his dedicated work ethic, professionalism and love for his country.

Sgt. James Strasser said he was immediately impressed with DePrimo, a first lieutenant in the Pennsylvania National Guard, after meeting him last August during their annual two-week military training exercises.

“He cared about the unity of the men and his soldiers. He wanted to do the right thing,” Strasser said. “I enjoyed the short time I knew him. He’ll be missed.”

The 35-year-old soldier died after the Humvee he was riding in was struck by an improvised explosive device near Ghazni, Afghanistan, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs.

When not handling his duties as tank commander with the 109th Infantry Division 1st Battalion, Delta Company in West Pittston, DePrimo worked as a reconditioning technician at Barber Ford in Exeter.

Co-worker Ed Godri, a salesman at the dealership, recalled DePrimo as a hard worker in the dealership’s detail department.

“His father didn’t want him to go. But Jeff said the streets of Philadelphia are just as dangerous. It doesn’t matter where you go,” Godri said.

James Redington was an assistant principal at Seton Catholic High School in Pittston when DePrimo attended the school.

Redington, now principal at Holy Redeemer High School, remembers DePrimo as an intelligent student with a great sense of humor who was involved with the National Honor Society, and played guitar and soccer.

“I remember that vividly. When you saw him I remember an attractive smile,” said Redington, who noted DePrimo graduated from Seton Catholic in 1991 with honors.

After remembering DePrimo in prayer during the school day, Redington used his former student’s death to tell Holy Redeemer seniors the impact they can have on staff members.

“I was able to share with the seniors the impact they have on us as educators because no matter how big or small the school we never forget the students,” Redington said.

An honors student during college, DePrimo graduated from Marywood University in 1996 with a bachelor’s degree in music.

DePrimo graduated from basic military training in 2003 and completed officer candidate school in 2005.

In the explosion that claimed DePrimo’s life, a Navy lieutenant and interpreter were also killed. Two other Pennsylvania National Guardsmen, the driver and a soldier operating the vehicle’s gun, were injured. They were transported to Bagram Air Base in Afghanistan for treatment and their identities were not released.

“Jeff was a tremendously energetic officer and leader who always reached for excellence and cared deeply about his soldiers,” said Maj. Gen Jessica L. Wright, state adjutant general. “Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends as our entire Pennsylvania National Guard family and the commonwealth mourn his loss.”

DePrimo is the second local Pennsylvania National Guard soldier killed this year in Afghanistan. Lt. Col Richard Berrettini, formerly of Dupont, died in January after sustaining injuries he received when his vehicle was hit by an IED. Another Seton Catholic graduate, U.S. Army 1st Lt. Thomas Joseph Hromisin, also of Pittston, was injured last May when serving in Iraq.

DePrimo was the 31st Pennsylvania National Guard soldier killed in Iraq and Afghanistan since the war began. DePrimo is the fourth Pennsylvania National Guard soldier killed in Afghanistan and the third National Guard officer killed in action during the global war on terror.

DePrimo was scheduled to come home this December. As a member of the 109th, he traveled to Fort Bragg in North Carolina last December to receive additional training before being deployed to Afghanistan in March.

DePrimo, a platoon leader for the security force protecting the provincial reconstruction team when the attack occurred, will posthumously be awarded the Purple Heart and Combat Action Badge.

Joe Savokinas lived next door to DePrimo’s grandfather in Pittston for several years. He plans to honor his friend’s grandson either during a Memorial Day service at the Sam Miceli Memorial Veterans Park on Saturday or at Pittston City Hall on Monday. Both services are scheduled to begin at 10 a.m.

Savokinas, the chaplain for American Legion Post 477, said losing any soldier is heart-wrenching, but the loss of a local soldier is even harder.

“Every hurt you feel, but it is more when it is close to home,” Savokinas said.