Army soldier, former wrestler at SC high school, dies in Iraq in push against ISIS

An Army solider who graduated from Fort Mill High School has died in Iraq.

Spc. Javion “Jay” Shavonte Sullivan, 24, died Monday from what the Department of Defense said was a “non-combat related incident,” according to a statement.

Sullivan, assigned to a signal company based out of Fort Hood in Texas, was killed in Anbar Province in Iraq, officials said.

The incident is under investigation but no other details have been released.

Jayvion, called Jay by family and friends, enlisted after going to college for a couple of years at Coastal Carolina University and York Technical College because he wanted to serve his country and its people, his parents said.

Jayvion leaves a wife, Rayven, and daughter, Mahogany, 3, his family said.

“He was not only our hero, he was the community’s hero and the country’s hero,” said Cynthia Sullivan, Jayvion’s mother. “He knew the sacrifice that could come with his decision. I take solace in that he had a passion for service, for the military, for his country.”

Jayvion’s father, Willis Sullivan, said his son wanted to be in the military from a young age.

“He loved to serve his country,” Willis Sullivan said.

Stars and Stripes reported that Sullivan was part of the military coalition working against ISIS in Iraq and is the first American casualty of the effort against ISIS in 2018.

Sullivan, called Jay, graduated from Fort Mill High School in 2011, said Dee Christopher, principal at the school. Sullivan was at the school for two years and was a part of Coach Chris Brock’s wrestling team.

Sullivan is the fifth York County casualty of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Pat Leach, Paul Neff, Kenneth James Butler and T.J. Dudley, all of York County, died in the wars fought in Iraq and Afghanistan. Chester County natives Logan Tinsley and Zandra Worthy-Walker also died in those wars.

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This story was originally published January 10, 2018 at 9:29 AM with the headline "Army soldier, former wrestler at SC high school, dies in Iraq in push against ISIS."