Staff Sgt. Jacob Alan Hess was a decorated U.S. Army soldier whose life was defined by service, leadership — and, above all, his love for his family.

Born in 1984, Hess joined the Army Reserve in 2004 before moving into active-duty service. He later served with the 82nd Airborne Division and deployed twice in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. In 2013, he joined the 97th Civil Affairs Battalion, 95th Civil Affairs Brigade, where he served as a Civil Affairs noncommissioned officer.

His military record was extensive. Hess earned numerous awards during his career and was posthumously awarded the Meritorious Service Medal following his death. His commanders described him as a talented, dedicated soldier whose professionalism made a lasting impression on those around him.

But behind the medals and uniform was the part of his life Hess treasured most: his family.

Jacob was married to Jessica, and together they had five daughters — Crystin, Zoey, Elizabeth, Caroline and baby Everest. His family remembered him not simply as a soldier, but as a husband and father who made his wife and children the center of his world.

He loved playing the ukulele and even put together ukulele kits for his daughters so they could paint and play them together. He also enjoyed home-improvement projects, making stained-glass pieces, scuba diving and painting.

Then, on May 15, 2019, everything changed.

During a training exercise at the Joint Readiness Training Center at Fort Polk, Louisiana, a military vehicle rollover left Hess critically injured. He died from his injuries at the age of just 34. Twelve other service members were also injured in the incident.

For his wife Jessica, one final message from Jacob became especially precious. Before leaving for the mission, he told her:

“I’m going out on a mission, I won’t be able to talk with you for a while but I love you more than anything in this world.”

Those words became something his family could hold onto after he never came home.

His death left a wife and five young daughters facing a future without the husband and father they loved. Yet his memory continued through the small things he had shared with them — music, laughter, projects around the house and countless family moments.

Jacob Hess spent his adult life serving his country, but his greatest pride was always found outside the uniform.

He was a soldier who served with honor, a husband who cherished his wife, and a father whose daughters will carry his memory for the rest of their lives.

His mission ended far too soon.
His legacy did not.

Staff Sgt. Jacob A. Hess — forever remembered, forever missed.