SFC James "Jake" Michael Powers Jr.

Jake was born on September 8, 1994 in Atlanta, Georgia. His family moved to Boston in 2000, and while there Jake loved pretending to be a street urchin and a fan of the Yankees. In 2010, Jake and his family spent a year at Topsail Beach, where Jake worked at the Breezeway Restaurant and played football for Topsail High School. After their move to Wichita, Kansas, Jake continued playing football and wrestling. After graduation from Clear Falls High School outside of Houston, Texas, Jake spent a year working in the construction industry before deciding to join the Army. Upon his enlistment, he completed Infantry basic training at Fort Benning, Georgia, before being selected to join the U.S. Army Special Forces. His graduation from the Special Forces Qualification Course in June of 2017 was a very proud day for his family. He was the youngest member of his graduating class.

In his role as a Green Beret, Jake served four overseas deployments: to Lebanon in 2018; to Syria in 2019; to Tajikistan in 2021; and to the UAE in 2022. Most recently, Jake was a sniper instructor at the Special Forces Sniper Course at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. He was preparing to return to his team in the summer of 2026.

During his military career, Jake earned a Bronze Star for his outstanding service during Operation Inherent Resolve, the Counter Islamic State Campaign in Syria. He also received the Operation Inherent Resolve Campaign Medal, three Army Commendation Medals, and the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, among many others. Jake graduated the Special Forces Sniper Course: Level I, earned the Military Free Fall Parachutist qualification, and served as a Joint Terminal Attack Controller (JTAC). Jake was a highly respected member of the Special Forces community—one whose absence is felt deeply by all who served alongside him.

In his civilian life, Jake enjoyed snow skiing, long-range shooting, and opening the pit. He was surrounded by friends wherever he went, and his laugh and zest for life will be missed by all who loved him. He was adored by many, many people, and his passing leaves a space in our hearts that can never be filled.

Jake’s family includes his mom, Brooks von Biberstein of San Antonio, Texas; his dad, Jim Powers of Washington, DC; his sister, Eliza Powers of Washington, DC; his brother, Walker Powers and partner, Marley Gilbert, of San Antonio, Texas; his grandmother, Carolyn von Biberstein of Burgaw and Wilmington, North Carolina; five aunts; four uncles; and 13 first cousins.

In lieu of flowers, please send memorial contributions to the Special Forces Trust (sftrust.org), a non-profit organization that supports Green Berets and their families. Please list Jake’s name in the comments section of the donation so the family may express their gratitude.

He will be buried in Arlington National Cemetery. For funeral arrangements, please contact the family.

Brown-Wynne, 300 Saint Mary's Street, Raleigh is serving the Powers family.