Lance Corporal Jason Marks was serving with the Special Operations Task Group when he was killed during deliberate operations against a Taliban Safe Haven on 27th April 2008 in Afghanistan.

Aged 27 at the time of his death, Jason was from the Sydney-based 4th Royal Australian Regiment (Commando).

‍Jason enlisted in the Australian Regular Army on 2nd March 1999. On completion of his initial training at Kapooka in 1999, he was allocated to the Royal Regiment of the Australian Artillery and was posted to the 4th Field Regiment in Townsville.

‍During his service with Artillery, Jason deployed to East Timor with INTERFET in 1999 and gained the rank of Lance Bombardier in 2001. In April 2003, he transferred to the Royal Australian Army Medical Corps as an assistant medic until he volunteered for Commando Selection in 2005.

‍Jason was first deployed to Afghanistan in 2006 with the Special Operations Task Group. He was deployed again to Timor-Leste as part of Operation Astute with the Special Operations Task Group in 2007 and again to Afghanistan in 2008.

‍During the first three months of his deployment, he was an active participant in a number of significant engagements with the Taliban. He reinforced his reputation as a tough Commando and a strong and effective junior leader.

Jason leaves behind his beloved wife and two children, loving parents and brother.

‍For his service to his country, Jason has received the following honours and awards:

• Australian Active Service Medal with Clasps for East Timor and the International Coalition Against Terrorism
• INTERFET Campaign Medal
• Afghanistan Campaign Medal
• Australian Service Medal with Timor-Leste Clasp
• Australian Defence Medal
• NATO Medal with International Security Assistance Force Clasp
• Unit Citation for Gallantry
• Return from Active Service Badge
• Infantry Combat Badge

During Jason’s service in the Australian Army, he was deployed on the following operations:

• Operation Slipper (Afghanistan) 2008
• Operation Astute (Timor-Leste) 2007
• Operation Slipper (Afghanistan) 2006
• Operation Warden (East Timor) 2000