Soldier from Maine dies serving in Iraq Jason Dore graduated from Job Corps

MOSCOW – A soldier from western Maine died from injuries suffered in a roadside bombing in Iraq, becoming the third soldier from the state to die in a month, officials said Monday.

Army Pfc. Jason Dore, 25, was eight months into his first tour of duty in Iraq when he was injured while on patrol in a Humvee, said Tim Cates, Dore’s uncle. The soldier died Sunday at a hospital in Baghdad.

Dore was the second Mainer from the 1st Cavalry Division to be killed in Iraq in less than a month. Army Sgt. Joel A. House, 22, of Lee died June 23 from wounds suffered in a roadside bomb attack in Taji, 12 miles north of Baghdad.

Also, Maine National Guard Sgt. Richard Parker of Phillips, a member of the 152nd Field Artillery Regiment, died a day after being injured by a roadside blast on June 13 in Scania, Iraq. The 152nd is due to return in late July.

Dore, who joined the Army in 2005, attended Upper Kennebec Valley High School in Bingham before graduating from the Job Corps in Bangor where he earned his general educational development degree and was a welding student.

Renae Muscatell, business and community liaison for the Penobscot Job Corps Center, said Monday that Dore was a “wonderful student.”

“He just has a bunch of positive incidences written in here that he’s done all around helping people,” she said while reviewing his student record.

Job Corps welding instructor Blaine Marston described Dore as “a really hard-nosed, kid. A good kid.”

“He’s the kind of kid that you would expect to go defend your country,” Marston said. “Honorable.”

Dore got along well with his classmates and was very well-liked by most everyone on campus, Job Corps staff said.

Dore was the second Penobscot Job Corps graduate to be killed in battle this year. Spc. Christopher Wilson, originally from Chicopee, Mass., moved to Bangor in early 2002 to attend Job Corps and earn his GED. On Oct. 31, 2002, he received his GED, and by January 2003 he had enlisted in the Army.

Wilson, 24, was killed on March 29 in Korengal Outpost, Afghanistan, by a rocket-propelled grenade explosion. He was an infantryman serving with the 10th Mountain Division Company A, 1st Battalion, 32nd Infantry Regiment out of Fort Drum, N.Y.

A wall at Penobscot Job Corps has been dedicated to Wilson, and it’s likely Dore will be added to the memorial, according to Muscatell.

The school also may hold its own memorial service, she said.

While growing up in the Moscow area, Dore enjoyed being outdoors and fishing at Hunter’s Pond in Bingham, Cates said.

“He was just a great kid. He was extremely proud of his service,” he said.

Gov. John Baldacci said Monday he had spoken to Dore’s family, including his mother, Gail Dore, in Moscow. Dore’s father, Jody Dore, lives in North Anson. Dore also left behind a 15-year-old brother, Logan French, who lives with his mother.

“I was deeply saddened to hear of the loss of this promising young man,” Baldacci said. “The family is really suffering from this tremendous loss. We will do everything we can to stand with them and support them during this very difficult time.”

Maine’s congressional delegates also released statements Monday upon hearing of Dore’s death.

“My deepest sympathies and prayers are with the family and friends of Pfc. Jason E. Dore during this difficult and sad time,” U.S. Rep. Michael Michaud said. “He bravely served our country and may we never forget the sacrifice he and so many others have made.”

“Today our state mourns the loss of Jason Dore, who bravely gave his life to protect our country,” U.S. Sen. Olympia Snowe stated. “Our nation will forever be indebted to Jason for his tremendous sacrifice and courageous service. I extend my heartfelt condolences to his family and loved ones at this difficult time.”

“We must never forget Private Dore’s sacrifice, and we must honor his service, [and] that of the thousands of Mainers who have gone to Iraq and Afghanistan and their families with our unwavering support,” U.S. Rep. Tom Allen said.

In Dore’s honor, Baldacci has ordered that flags be flown at half-staff on the day of the soldier’s funeral. On Monday, family members had not yet begun making arrangements, Cates said.

BDN reporter Aimee Dolloff contributed to this report.