Chief Petty Officer Jacques Fontan - SEAL Team 10

Jacques Jules Fontan

Fire Controlman Chief Petty Officer

Chief Petty Officer Jacques J. Fontan was born on 11 November 1968 in New Orleans, Louisiana. He died in the mountains of Afghanistan when his helicopter was shot down while he was enroute to rescue a SEAL team.

He graduated from Brother Martin High School in New Orleans, Louisiana, and attended the University of Louisiana at Lafayette prior to enlisting in the United States Navy on 7 March 1989.After graduating from Recruit Training Center, Great Lakes, he completed Fire Controlman "A" School at Fleet Combat Training Center, Dam Neck, Virginia. Upon completion, he transferred to USS NICHOLAS (FFG 47), Charleston, South Carolina and then to Helicopter Anti-submarine Squadron ONE, Jacksonville, Florida.

After graduating from Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL training at Naval Special Warfare Center, Coronado, California, on 23 October 1998, Chief Fontan was assigned to SEAL Team EIGHT, Little Creek, Virginia, Naval Special Warfare Group TWO, Little Creek, Virginia, and SEAL Team TEN, Little Creek, Virginia.During his service, Chief Fontan was awarded the Bronze Star Medal (with "V" for Valor), Purple Heart Medal, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (with Combat "V"), Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (2 awards), Combat Action Ribbon, Joint Meritorious Unit Award, Navy Unit Commendation Ribbon, Navy "E" Ribbon, Good Conduct Medal (5 awards), National Defense Service Medal (2 awards), Southwest Asia Service Medal (3 awards), Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon (3 awards),NATO Medal, Kuwait Liberation Medal, Kuwait Liberation Medal (Kuwait), Expert 9MM Pistol, and Sharpshooter M4 Rifle.

Chief Fontan is survived by his parents, Earl Fontan and Hazel Rue, wife Charissa, daughter Jourdan, brother Jean and sisters Suzanne and Cherie.

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